The women of the southern villages of Medina Salaam and Berending are looking forward to a successful harvest once again, thanks to support from a Hampshire based charity.

Operafrica, an NGO registered in The Gambia, is now in its second year of agricultural projects in Kombo South and is building on the success of the first season.

Last year, the women of Medina Salaam harvested a bumper crop of red creole onions, under the advice of Operafrica's local agricultural advisor. Although harvested in May, the onions kept well throughout the rainy season in the charity's storeroom, a feature of this particular strain of onion.

At the same time as Medina was growing onions, the women of Berending were enjoying equal success in garden eggs, sweet pepper and okra. The garden eggs were of such high quality that the women were able to sell surpluses at excellent prices in the local markets.

The key to the success of both these gardens is the availability of a reliable water supply for irrigation. Operafrica has provided three wells in Medina Salaam, and is in the process of digging two more there. In Berending, the charity funded the renovation of five wells and is paying for two new ones.

While water is at the heart of these successes, Operafrica has been very pleased to provide other critical resources. Good seeds, the effective use of fertilizers and insecticides and improved farming practices all go towards making the crops a success.

Finally, as learned from bitter experience, none of this is of benefit to the villagers if the land is not protected by modern, animal proof fencing. One hungry animal can destroy weeks of growing efforts.

Faburama Darboe, the Gambia Representative and Trustee of Operafrica, has witnessed, at first hand, the improvements to people's lives the successful crops have brought. In an interview with the Daily Observer, he commented, "The ladies have worked hard under the guidance of our agricultural advisor.

The crop surpluses are enabling them not only to improve diet, but also to pay for items which benefit other aspects of their family lives. We are all looking forward to another successful season in the gardens".