As saltwater advances, Gambian farmers rethink how to protect rice fields

Every year, the people of Kiang Jifarong dedicate their time and resources to constructing earthen dikes with clay and mud to prevent seawater from infiltrating their fields. Once, rice fields extended uninterrupted for 5 kilometers along the Bintang Bolong estuary in western Gambia. For generations, families cultivated rice on these fertile lowlands, depending on seasonal floods and freshwater to support one of the country's oldest agricultural practices.

However, concerning gaps have emerged in this productive landscape. For ten years, many villagers have moved inland, away from the coast, as saltwater transforms once-viable rice fields into barren land. Farmers describe the stress caused by saltwater as evident: rice leaves turn yellow, and harvested grains become light and hollow due to improper plant development.

Tombong Barrow from the Kiang Jifarong village development committee explains that "the grains become almost empty," rendering them useless. Jonni Kinteh and Mama Njie, both experienced rice farmers, abandoned their fields eight years ago after continuous crop failures attributed to salinity. Kinteh states, "We have farmed these fields since childhood alongside our mothers," but now they are unable to utilize them.

Barrow adds, "Our parents farmed much closer to the river," but now those fields have been entirely overtaken by salt.