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On November 07, 2024, as part of a World Bank and CORAF supervision mission for the GIRAV project, a corn shelling machine was handed over to the Innovation Platform (IP) in the Central River South region. The machine was designed in Gambia by the Agricultural Research Institute. This initiative is an integral part of the Development of Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chains (GIRAV) project financed by the World Bank, in collaboration with CORAF. It illustrates a concrete commitment to improving the living conditions of local producers and boosting the maize value chain in The Gambia.

GIRAV's support includes not only processing machinery, but also assistance in setting up innovation platforms, training members and facilitating access to quality seeds. Some 120 members have already signed up to this platform, attracted by the development opportunities it offers. 

According to Dr. Caroline Makamto SOBGUI, Technology Transfer Specialist at CORAF, "innovation platforms enable maize producers to organize themselves and benefit from collective support, facilitating interactions between the different segments of the value chain but also creating synergies with the local poultry industry."

This shelling machine, which achieves an output of four tons per hour, will reduce the drudgery of post-harvest corn processing operations, in this case the shelling phase. In addition, the IP has been officially registered, facilitating access to agricultural financing for its members; Diarra, an IP member, expresses her enthusiasm: "Thanks to this platform, I can now take out loans and open a bank account. The gift of this machine is huge for us."

In addition to the equipment, the GIRAV project and CORAF provided producers with 100 bags of quality maize seed, helping to improve yields and ensure stable production to meet the needs of the local market. In collaboration with transporters and industry players, IP members can now sell their crops more easily and create partnerships with the poultry sector, which has shown great interest in local maize production.

According to Dr Aifa Ndoye of the World Bank, "this platform is a significant step forward for producers. By offering them not only processing tools but also technical support, we are laying the foundations for resilient and sustainable agriculture in The Gambia." The regional governor's representative also stressed the importance of this initiative for the local economy and for the region's food security.

In short, this collaboration with GIRAV and CORAF illustrates how comprehensive, structured support can transform agriculture and pave the way for sustainable empowerment of rural communities in The Gambia.