[{"bbox": [86, 92, 399, 122], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 3.5 The Intervention Logic"}, {"bbox": [96, 126, 1161, 379], "category": "Text", "text": "The underlying intervention logic for this action is that it intends to accelerate a people-centred (particularly women and young people) agro-ecological transition towards resilient, climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive agri-food systems in The Gambia, based on a market-driven approach, which will also help to reduce the current dependence (estimated at over 50%) on food imports. The expected results will be: (i) To enhance investments in climate-smart, agri-food value chains in The Gambia to increase productivity through sustainable agro-ecology in horticultural and other selected value chains with local and international demand; (ii) To improve food safety and quality through the adoption of agro-ecological practices by producers and processors (particularly women and young people) and an enhanced food control system; and (iii) To develop more diverse, nutrition-sensitive and agro-ecologically produced value chains in The Gambia."}, {"bbox": [96, 398, 1161, 506], "category": "Text", "text": "If the promotion and adoption of **agro-ecological practices**¹⁷ (sustainable soil management and crop rotation, integrating livestock with crop farming, agro-forestry), climate-smart and other innovative agro-technologies is facilitated, then productivity and production will be increased, thereby reducing dependence on food imports and avoiding land use change."}, {"bbox": [96, 532, 1161, 636], "category": "Text", "text": "If the use of **water resources** for horticultural- and other high-value production during the lean season is expanded and water management is strengthened, then yields and returns from farming will be stabilised, modern horticultural technologies, innovations and inputs used will become more profitable in The Gambia and public/private investments in horticulture will be attracted."}, {"bbox": [96, 664, 1161, 746], "category": "Text", "text": "If domestic and external financing to replicate and scale proven **agri-food business models** is unlocked and leveraged, then the number of Gambians benefiting directly and indirectly from a sustained and sustainable **commercialisation** of agricultural and horticultural value chains could be significantly increased."}, {"bbox": [96, 770, 1161, 877], "category": "Text", "text": "If **gender and socioeconomic** barriers to resources, leadership roles and safe workplaces are identified, monitored and progressively addressed for selected agri- and horticultural value chains, involving public and private domestic and international stakeholders, then gender and socioeconomic equality can become a powerful catalyser for sustained and inclusive green growth in The Gambia."}, {"bbox": [96, 903, 1161, 1090], "category": "Text", "text": "And if **food safety control systems** are strengthened with better standards and SPS measures and farmers (particularly women and young people) are capacitated to produce quality food, then the contribution of agri-food systems to Gambia's export revenues will progressively be increased. The share of food locally purchased by the tourism/hospitality sector will also progressively increase and safe and nutritious foods will become more accessible and more affordable, and at the same time promote the green and circular economy. The increase of local food consumption will accelerate the transition towards a **circular economy** in food and beverages, especially regarding high quality products and organic farming, where tourists might be willing to pay a premium price."}, {"bbox": [96, 1115, 1161, 1303], "category": "Text", "text": "Mainstreaming sustainable agricultural practices (like crop rotation and organic farming) will improve **soil health**, will shorten supply chains with fresher produce more accessible, encouraging seasonal consumption and minimising the need for energy-intensive food production. Support to local food systems will require less packaging and processing. Storage and cooling system will use less energy and from renewable sources. Community engagement and **consumer education** on sustainable agri-food systems will lead to more sustainable choices, bolster economic resilience and local **job creation, leading to inequality reduction. Biodiversity** in The Gambia will be preserved through a higher variety of crops, wide-spectrum pesticides reduction and pollinators protection."}, {"bbox": [96, 1327, 1161, 1487], "category": "Text", "text": "Although the project will primarily focus on the horticultural sector (fruit trees, fruits and vegetables), the potential inclusion of traditional crop value chains (groundnut, maize, millet, cowpea, orange-fleshed sweet potato) will be assessed during the inception phase, and based on a detailed analysis – but keeping in mind the need for a focused approach. The inclusion of other value chains, such as poultry and fisheries, which are important for domestic consumption and for meeting the nutritional and dietary needs of the Gambian population, may also be considered (although fisheries may be covered through other programmes – see below)."}, {"bbox": [86, 1612, 1144, 1662], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹⁷ Synergies and linkages with R&I initiatives like DeSIRA+, CORAF, JRC/PANAP, 50x2030 etc., will be explored during implementation."}, {"bbox": [1028, 1682, 1144, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 18 of 30"}]