Africa
The Gambia
|
|
|
|
Country Situation
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector.
| Population (millions)1 | 1.66 |
|---|
| Population growth (annual %)1 | 2.8 |
|---|
| Surface area (km2, thousands)1 | 11.3 |
|---|
| Capital city2 | Banjul |
|---|
| Currency2 | Dalasi |
|---|
| GDP (US$ billions)1 | 0.51 |
|---|
| GDP growth (annual %)1 | 4.5 |
|---|
| GNI per capita (PPP, current international $)1 | 1,110 |
|---|
| Official development assistance received (2006, US$ millions)3 | 74.05 |
|---|
| UN HDI rank4 | 155 |
|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (years)4 | 58.8 |
|---|
| Adult literacy rate (% aged 15 and above)4 | 42.5 |
|---|
| Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births)4 | 97 |
|---|
Sources
1 The World Bank: Key Development Data & Statistics http://go.worldbank.org/1SF48T40L0; data for 2006, unless stated.
2 CIA: The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/; data for 2008, unless stated.
3 OECD: OECD.Stat Extracts http://webnet.oecd.org/wbos/index.aspx; data for 2006, unless stated.
4 UNDP: Human Development Report 2007/2008 http://hdr.undp.org/en/; data for 2005, unless stated.
TaiwanICDF Operations in The Gambia
The TaiwanICDF presently has one technical mission with 11 members, one technical assistance project, and one investment and lending project in The Gambia.
Technical Mission
Paddy Rice Yield Increase and Agricultural Machinery Center Project
This project increases paddy rice yields by introducing improved seeds and farming technology. The technical mission is assisting the Government of The Gambia in designing and implementing rice yield increase projects and creating a rice extension service system. By the end of 2003, 2,000 hectares of paddy and upland rice yields were prepared for cultivation. In 2004, superior paddy rice yield trials were conducted on 10 ha with 52 tons being produced during the first harvest. A tidal irrigation program has been implemented and is almost 2/3 complete. Rice mill construction has been completed and the mill is now fully operational. Over 100 ha of rice have been harvested this season. Fourteen cultivation training and machinery maintenance courses were conducted for 742 farmers and extension officers.
Vegetable Yield Increase and Production and Marketing Project
The technical mission is developing vegetable plots, providing farming technology and offering consultations on the operation of production and marketing teams. In 2004, the Bakau Women's Vegetable Production and Marketing Team Project was established, and the Institute of Agriculture was assigned to complete a marketing survey for the above-mentioned project. Ten ground water pumping systems were built at the Ndemban farm to irrigate the onion, sweet pepper, cucumber, watermelon, and cauliflower field trials.
Technical Assistance
Food Processing Project
The TaiwanICDF assists in the development of the food processing sector by providing technology to improve processing, extend the shelf life of agricultural projects, and increase the added value of farm goods.
Investment and Lending
Micro-financing and Capacity Building Project
This proposed project is helping to promote and improve MSE activities in The Gambia, especially in the private and agricultural sectors. Women, farmers and youth will be assisted in launching MSEs, which will help to elevate their economic positions and living standards. The sustainability of micro-financing institutions will also be supported including capacity building for the VISACA Promotion Center.
