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Animal farming and livestock Managing the herd, protecting the earth
Esi Mawuena Christon-Quao
SMART FARMING THROUGH A SIMPLE DIGITAL SOLUTION
Esi Mawuena Christon-Quao, UN Volunteer Monitoring and Evaluation
Specialist with FAO in The Gambia, contributed to a wide range of
initiatives that supported agriculture, nutrition, natural resources
and rural livelihoods. Her work spanned 21 projects, from livestock and
fisheries to food security and forestry, each aligned with FAO’s mandate
to improve agricultural systems and strengthen national capacities.
One project Esi holds close is a community poultry initiative that reached
102 30 communities across six districts. While conducting a routine field visit,
she noticed an opportunity to enhance how farmers shared knowledge.
Many had innovative practices but few platforms to exchange ideas. Esi
proposed a simple yet effective solution: a WhatsApp group for poultry
farmers. The group connected over 70 members who regularly share
updates, questions and peer support, a self-organized network that
continues to grow today.
“I saw firsthand the changes that FAO’s support made to the lives of
people and communities,” she said. “I am proud to say that I played a role
in the changes.”
Esi Mawuena Christon-Quao (centre), UN Volunteer Monitoring Her assignment also expanded her professional skills and opened new
and Evaluation Specialist with FAO, visited the fish landing site in Pirang collaborations with other UN agencies. For Esi, being part of FAO’s work
during International Volunteer Day 2021 activities. [UNV, 2021] meant contributing to something bigger, sustainable progress, driven by
local insight and teamwork.
