In the heart of The Gambia, where agriculture continues to play a critical role in economic development, one woman is transforming her childhood inspiration into a thriving agribusiness. Fatou Nano Gibba, CEO of Fana Farm, sat down with Just4WomenAfrica to share how her journey into farming began, and how she turned a personal passion into a sustainable enterprise.
A Seed Planted by Her Grandmother
Fatou’s love for farming stems from her childhood, where she was raised by her grandmother—a trader with a small vegetable garden behind her home. That early exposure sowed the seeds of curiosity and passion. Years later, after graduating from university in 2018 and struggling to find employment, Fatou decided to revisit her roots.
“I couldn’t get a job, so I asked myself what I truly enjoyed—and I remembered my grandmother’s farm. I also loved farming, so I decided to go for it,” she recalled.
Starting with Sacrifice
Starting Fana Farm wasn’t easy. One of the biggest hurdles was securing capital and land. With no financial backing, Fatou made a bold decision: she sold her university laptop to raise capital. Her brother also chipped in, and together they gathered just enough funds to purchase 50 broiler chickens, marking the humble beginnings of Fana Farm.
From 50 Broilers to 750 Birds
Today, Fana Farm is growing rapidly. Fatou now manages 250 layer chickens and 500 broilers. To meet increasing demand, they are constructing a new farm facility that will expand their capacity to 1,000 layers and 1,000 broilers.
Her primary clients include hotels, bars, and supermarkets—a testament to the farm’s growing reputation for quality poultry products.
Staying Ahead of Poultry Diseases
When asked how she handles poultry health, Fatou emphasized preventive care:
“We keep the farm clean at all times and ensure the chickens are vaccinated. These steps are crucial to prevent diseases and maintain production levels.”
Diversifying into Vegetables
Fana Farm also grows a variety of vegetables, including:
- Tomatoes
- Okra
- Onions
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers
Fatou sells these produce items directly to consumers and to wholesalers. However, wholesale comes with challenges:
“Wholesale prices aren’t fixed. Buyers often bargain aggressively, and if you don’t agree, they’ll go to another farmer. Without cold storage, we’re sometimes forced to sell quickly at lower prices just to prevent spoilage.”
Women in Farming: Breaking Barriers
Fatou believes farming is one of the few sectors in The Gambia where women are widely accepted.
“About 75% of farm laborers in The Gambia are women, and culturally it’s accepted. But the challenge is land ownership. Most land is owned by individuals, and women rarely have legal ownership of farmland.”
She calls on the government to introduce policies that empower women to own land and make it more affordable for farmers to access land.
The Vision for Fana Farm
Looking ahead, Fatou envisions Fana Farm becoming a household name across The Gambia and beyond.
“In the next 5 to 10 years, I see Fana Farm as a leading brand in poultry and vegetable production. We want to expand into food processing, packaging, and even export.”
