80 Sierra Leone Farmers Certified to Support Cashew Growers

Eighty smallholder farmers from communities in Port Loko, Kambia, Tonkolili and Bombali districts have been certified as Farmer Field School Facilitators following training focused on cashew production and agroforestry.

The certification ceremonies were held in Port Loko and Bombali districts. The farmers represented 80 communities and are expected to take the lessons from the programme back to their communities.

Training aimed at expanding practical knowledge

The training was conducted 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.

The project is supported by the European Union in Sierra Leone through its Jobs and Growth Programme. It is being implemented with the involvement of the ministry, Solidaridad West Africa and partners including Develop Salone and Nianada.

Alusine Tarawally, Senior Programme Officer at Solidaridad West Africa, said the facilitators were trained in climate-smart agriculture, good agricultural practices, cashew agroforestry and agribusiness.

Tarawally said the facilitators are expected to use farmer-to-farmer learning alongside existing Government agricultural extension services to share what they have learned. More than 300 smallholder cashew farmers across the four districts are expected to receive knowledge and practical support through the approach.

According to Tarawally, the model could encourage more sustainable farming practices, raise productivity and strengthen the resilience of cashew farms.

Potential benefits for production and rural incomes

Lamin Mbogba, Bombali District Agriculture Officer, said the training could contribute to the cashew sector by improving production methods and encouraging wider cultivation.

Mbogba also said higher cashew production could create additional income opportunities for rural households while supporting the broader agricultural sector.

The DISCA-VC Project is designed to improve farmers’ understanding of cashew cultivation, sustainable agriculture and agribusiness, while creating opportunities for increased household income. It also promotes greater participation by women in cashew farming.

Farmers describe early gains

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,” Kargbo said.

In Bombali District, Sallay Sesay of Safroko Limba said she became the first woman in her group to be selected by her peers for the training in 2023. She later became the first woman in her community to own a cashew farm with support from the DISCA-VC Project.

Sesay said the training gave her practical knowledge about 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 that owning a farm had created an opportunity to earn income, become more financially independent and support her children. Sesay also said she intends to encourage other women in her community and neighbouring areas to take up cashew farming.