This paper presents a sustainable precision farming initiative designed to improve food security, fertilizer efficiency, and crop productivity in The Gambia by implementing seedplaced fertilizer banding technology. Building on a four-year precision farming experiment conducted at Area X.O. Smart Farm in Ottawa, Canada, the study demonstrated that seedplaced fertilizer banding significantly increased corn yield while reducing fertilizer use and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions compared to conventional fertilizer broadcasting. Experimental results showed fertilizer savings of approximately 33–50%, yield increases of 17–33%, and reductions in N₂O emissions exceeding 85%.
The project aims to adapt this precision farming approach to the Gambian agricultural context, where most farmers are smallholders relying on low-cost, animal-powered farming systems. The initiative proposes the development and testing of affordable manual and mechanized multi-row planters capable of implementing seed-placed fertilizer banding without requiring expensive tractors or advanced GPS systems. The project also seeks to strengthen agricultural technology capacity, entrepreneurship, and vocational training opportunities for youth and women through partnerships with local institutions and international organizations.
By integrating low-cost mechanization with sustainable nutrient management practices, the project has the potential to enhance crop yields, reduce production costs, improve environmental sustainability, and strengthen long-term agricultural resilience and food security in The Gambia.