Field Work April 2026 5 min read

What the Fields Taught Us: Our Visit to Jahally and Sapu

Some of the most important lessons for ThreshWorks didn't happen in the workshop — they happened in the fields. We visited rice farms at Sahel Agribusiness in Jahally and Maro Farm in Sapu, where we engaged directly with the farmers at the center of everything we are building.

What stood out most was not just the work, but the stories, the challenges, and the resilience behind every harvest.

Harvested rice grains drying on a tarp beside the green rice fields in Jahally — Harvested rice grains drying beside the fields at Sahel Agribusiness, Jahally — a familiar sight that tells the full story of what farmers manage after every harvest.

Through meaningful conversations on rice threshing, we listened closely to their experiences — the inefficiencies, the grain losses, and the daily realities they face. Their insights are not just informing our work; they are actively shaping the design and direction of our solution.

ThreshWorks team with mentor Mr. Muhammed Danso at Maro Farm in Sapu — The ThreshWorks team with mentor Mr. Muhammed Danso at Maro Farm, Sapu — a visit made possible by his unwavering support and guidance.

This experience reinforced something important: innovation is not just about building technology — it is about listening, understanding, and co-creating solutions with the people who will ultimately use them.

Rice seedling nursery in a flooded paddy at one of the farms visited by ThreshWorks — A rice seedling nursery — the very beginning of the crop cycle that ends with the post-harvest challenges ThreshWorks is working to solve.

We are deeply grateful for the warm welcome and openness from the farmers. Their knowledge is invaluable, and it continues to guide every step we take.

We would also like to sincerely thank our mentor, Mr. Muhammed Danso, for his unwavering support. He set aside his time to accompany us and ensure everything went smoothly — a gesture we truly appreciate.

A combine harvester working through a rice field during the ThreshWorks field visit — Mechanized harvesting in action at one of the farms — observing existing solutions firsthand helps us understand where ThreshWorks can make the greatest difference.

We are also grateful to UNDP The Gambia for creating opportunities that continue to support and strengthen youth-led innovation and agricultural development in The Gambia.

At ThreshWorks, we are not just building machines — we are building with farmers, for farmers. And this journey is only becoming more meaningful.

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