Co-operative vegetable growing and marketing in the Gambia

Abstract

Co-operative vegetable growing and marketing schemes have been actively encouraged by the Gambian Government since the 1950s with varying degrees of success. But, there has been substantial progress in the last ten years. In 1983 an interview survey was completed of the participants in three of the schemes and the main results are summarised and discussed here. Detailed data pertaining to the background characteristics of the growers, their holdings and their co-operatives are presented. The growers potential and actual problems in production and marketing are also identified. It is concluded that the schemes have, to date, broadly fulfilled most of their stated aims and the potential barriers to further development through co-operation are discussed.