- Surveys have been completed to determine the extent of pesticide contamination of locally produced vegetables.

- Upon the completion of the market surveys, random selections of local markets as sampling points were carried out and the samples taken to a reputable Eco-toxicology laboratory in neighbouring Senegal as such facilities do not exist in The Gambia. A contract agreement was signed on 12th January 2015 with the eco-toxicology called "Centre Regional De Recherces En Ecotoxicologie Et Securite Environmental (CERES) whose TORs among others will include:
- Conduct analysis of pesticide residues in samples of fruits and vegetables taken from The Gambia,
- Discuss qualitative and quantitative values of the formulations of pesticides molecules or compounds suspected to be obsolete and or banned but still found in use in The Gambia.

- A Contract Agreement was signed with The Plant Protection Services of The Ministry of Agriculture to conduct research into naturally concurring alternatives to chemical pesticides in an bid to eliminate or minimize the use of chemicals and pesticides in vegetable production.

- Compatible combinations of IPM options have been determined and are being tested at 2 sites - Bakau and Sukuta gardens.

- The results on the samples sent to Dakar for residue anlysis showed that non of the samples contained any pesticide residues. The results however not indicate that entirely residue free as they were only screened for the presence of only 6 out of an array of chemicals that are regularly used. It was gratifying to note that non of the samples contained DDT(recently re-introduced) and Lindane which are widely used in mosquito control and in agriculture.

- At the 2 women garden scheme sites of Bakau and Sukuta, IPM methods of pest control was demonstrated involving planting Artemisia plants in rows between the crops. It was observed in both places that pests were attracted to the Artemisia plants and left the vegetables intact. The Artemisia served as a trap cop attracting the common pests of the area.

- Based on the outcome of the filed demonstrations, a training package was develop for 250 women vegetable growers from the 2 schemes to demonstrate this seemingly effective non chemical cultural IPM technique. The session also include a field day which took the participants to the demonstrate plots to show the results of the technique.

- To strengthen capacity in the enforcement of the hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides Regulation including the enforcement of the POPs convention, 36 subject matter extension specialists drawn from The national Environment Agency and commercial pesticide applicators were trained on pesticide management techniques. A radio panel discussion on pest control and environmental management was also conducted for the general pubic.