A recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has revealed that 42 localities in Gambia have reported that more than half of households have abandoned farming due to climate shocks. The IOM climate vulnerability assessment, conducted between November 2025 and February 2026, and published in August 2026, highlights a growing threat to rural livelihoods and food security. The report points to drought, flooding, heat, poor soil quality, heavy rainfall, and high winds as major factors undermining agricultural production across the Central River and North Bank regions.
The assessment found that 91 percent of 99 locations assessed for agricultural production reported losses in the past two years due to environmental factors. Of the 84 locations that provided data on abandonment, 12 reported that 76 to 100 percent of families had quit farming. Another 30 said more than half had abandoned farming, while 29 said about half had done so. The highest concentration of abandoned farms was in Sabach Sanjal with 13 localities affected, followed by Niamina East with 12 and Niamina West with six.
The impact of climate change on farming is already being felt at the household level, with 73 percent of locations reporting that the majority of families do not have enough food. In Central River Region-North, 100 percent of locations reported that the majority of families lack sufficient food. This has led to families diversifying into casual labor, construction, fishing, gardening, trading, and other activities to survive.
However, some coping strategies are creating new pressures. In Kuntaur Fula Kunda, generator-powered irrigation has pushed production costs beyond what farmers can sustain. In Kumbija and Illiassa, growing dependence on casual labor is drawing households away from farming. This shift away from farming is also affecting livestock, with 97 percent of 31 locations reporting difficulty feeding animals due to environmental factors.
Livestock abandonment is also on the rise, with 12 of 26 locations reporting that more than half of households had abandoned livestock or transhumance. Fishing communities are not spared, with 88 percent of 25 locations reporting reduced yields due to drought, flooding, low river levels, and salinity. The IOM report warns that targeted support is needed to help communities adapt to climate change.
The IOM recommends that the 42 localities where more than half of households have abandoned agriculture need targeted livelihood diversification support, along with climate-resilient practices, improved seeds, crop diversification, and better post-harvest storage. The report also notes that agricultural inputs and seeds sometimes arrive after the optimal planting period, reducing the impact of assistance even when it reaches farmers.
The report's findings have significant implications for Gambia's agricultural sector and food security. With climate change expected to continue affecting agricultural production, urgent action is needed to support farmers and rural communities. The government and international organizations must work together to provide support and implement climate-resilient practices to mitigate the impact of climate change on Gambia's agriculture.
Key points
- 42 Gambian communities have abandoned farming due to climate shocks.
- Climate change is threatening rural livelihoods and food security in Gambia.
- Targeted support is needed to help communities adapt to climate change.
