Eighty smallholder farmers from 80 communities have been certified as Farmer Field School Facilitators after completing training focused on cashew production and related agricultural practices.

The farmers come from Port Loko, Kambia, Tonkolili and Bombali Districts. Graduation ceremonies were held in Port Loko and Bombali, where participants received certificates after completing the programme.

The training was delivered by Solidaridad West Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security under the Developing an Inclusive and Sustainable Cashew Agroforestry Value Chain (DISCA-VC) Project.

Farmers to share skills in their communities

Alusine Tarawally, Senior Programme Officer at Solidaridad West Africa, said the course covered climate-smart agriculture, good agricultural practices, cashew agroforestry and agribusiness, alongside other subjects linked to cashew production.

“These include climate-smart agriculture, good agricultural practices, cashew agroforestry and agribusiness, among other areas,” Tarawally said.

The certified facilitators are expected to return to their communities and pass on what they have learned through farmer-to-farmer learning and existing Government agricultural extension services. More than 300 smallholder cashew farmers across the four districts are expected to benefit from the knowledge and practical support.

Tarawally said the approach could encourage the adoption of improved and sustainable farming practices, raise productivity and strengthen the resilience of cashew farms. Those outcomes are expected rather than independently measured results at this stage.

Focus on production and inclusion

Lamin Mbogba, Bombali District Agriculture Officer, said the training could contribute to Sierra Leone’s cashew sector by improving production techniques and supporting the expansion of cultivation.

He also said increased cashew production could create additional income opportunities for rural households while contributing to the wider agricultural sector.

The DISCA-VC Project is supported by the European Union in Sierra Leone through its Jobs and Growth Programme. It is being implemented with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Solidaridad West Africa, Develop Salone and Nianada.

The project also seeks to increase women’s participation in cashew cultivation. Sallay Sesay of Safroko Limba in Bombali District became the first woman in her community to own a cashew farm with support from the project.

Sesay said the training introduced her to practical steps for establishing a cashew farm, including lining and pegging.

“I am excited that I have learned a lot about the cashew value chain, especially the steps to establish a cashew farm, including lining and pegging. I didn’t know how to do it before, but Solidaridad has trained me through the Farmer Field School training,” she said.

She added: “Through the Farmer Field Schools, I have learned a lot. Now I have my own cashew farm, which is like a dream come true for me. With this, I can stand on my own and support my family, especially my children.”

Silas Abel Kargbo, a smallholder farmer from Mapaki Community in Tane Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, said he began harvesting cashew three years after planting his trees. “The cashew has started to give us income now,” he said.

Sesay said she intends to encourage women in her community and neighbouring areas to become involved in cashew farming.