Leveraging Science, Technology and Innovation to improve food self-sufficiency in the Gambia

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for SDGs roadmaps are strategic policy frameworks that leverage STI to tackle localised sustainability challenges. They are supported by analyses based on different data sources and grounded in participatory and co-creation approaches that involve various stakeholders from the public and private sectors, NGOs, and academia. This report provides insights on gaps and opporuntities to leverage the Gambia’s STI system to improve food self-sufficiency, which is a key sustainability challenge highlighted in policy documents, as well as by stakeholders. DG INTPA and the EU Delegation to the Gambia provided feedback and approved the report. It was also reviewed by the Gambian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST). The analysis included in this report brings to design of the STI for SDGs roadmap, based on extensive inputs from official data sources on STI and food systems performance, as well as information collected from local and international stakeholders involved in initiatives relevant for food self-sufficiency and STI in the Gambia through workshops, a survey, and interviews. The roadmap identifies key sustainability challenges within The Gambian food systems, such as low crop production and productivity, limited access to finance, and inadequate storage facilities. To tackle these challenges it highlights several initiaves, and identifies opportunities for STI investments. These initiatives include combining indigenous knowledge and research to identify productive seeds, develop frugal innovation to design cold rooms or build affordable processing machines. The roadmap also highlights the need for horizontal measures to reinforce the STI system and improve collaboration among stakeholders. The successful implementation of the roadmap requires a coordinated approach and the involvement of various stakeholders, including government, academia, industry, and civil society. Ultimately, the STI for SDGs Roadmap aims to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 - Zero Hunger.