Eighty smallholder farmers from 80 communities across Port Loko, Kambia, Tonkolili and Bombali Districts have been certified as Farmer Field School (FFS) Facilitators in cashew agroforestry.
The certificates were presented by Solidaridad West Africa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, during graduation and certification ceremonies held in Port Loko and Bombali Districts.
The farmers successfully completed comprehensive Farmer Field School training under the European Union-supported Developing an Inclusive and Sustainable Cashew Agroforestry Value Chain (DISCA-VC) Project.
Speaking at the ceremonies, Senior Programme Officer at Solidaridad West Africa, Alusine Tawawally, said the training had equipped participants with practical knowledge and facilitation skills across key areas of the cashew value chain.
“These include climate-smart agriculture, good agricultural practices, cashew agroforestry and agribusiness, among other areas,” he said.
Tawawally explained that the newly certified facilitators would support knowledge sharing through government extension services and farmer-to-farmer learning in their respective communities.
He added that the approach would help farmers adopt improved and sustainable agricultural practices, thereby increasing the productivity and resilience of cashew production.
Meanwhile, Bombali District Agriculture Officer, Lamin Mbogba, commended Solidaridad West Africa and its partners for providing capacity-building opportunities for smallholder farmers.
Mr Mbogba said the training would contribute to strengthening Sierra Leone’s emerging cashew value chain.
He noted that the implementation of the DISCA-VC Project would help expand cashew cultivation and improve production, potentially increasing the benefits derived by smallholder cashew farmers.
Among the beneficiaries is Silas Abel Kargbo, a smallholder farmer from Mapaki Community in Tane Chiefdom, Tonkolili District.
Three years after planting his cashew trees, Silas has begun harvesting from the trees, creating a new source of income for himself and other farmers in his community.
“The cashew has started to give us income now,” Silas said.
Beyond managing his own farm, Silas is also sharing his knowledge with other farmers interested in establishing cashew farms.
He and other smallholder farmers are beneficiaries of the DISCA-VC Project, supported by the European Union in Sierra Leone and implemented by Solidaridad West Africa and its partners.
The recent FFS certification ceremony recognised 80 facilitators trained to support more than 300 smallholder cashew farmers across Port Loko, Bombali, Kambia and Tonkolili Districts.
The training is aimed at strengthening farmers’ skills, improving livelihoods and household incomes, contributing to food security, and helping reduce poverty.
For Sallay Sesay of Safroko Limba, Bombali District, the certification represents both a personal achievement and a breakthrough for women in her community.
Cashew farming in the area has traditionally been dominated by men. However, in 2023, Sesay became the first woman in her group to be selected by her peers to represent the community in the Farmer Field School training.
She subsequently became the first woman in her community to own a cashew farm, with support from Solidaridad West Africa through the DISCA-VC Project, supported by the European Union under its Jobs and Growth Programme.
Having completed the Farmer Field School training in agroforestry, Sesay said the programme had given her practical skills she previously did not possess.
“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.
Sesay was among the 80 participants representing communities in Port Loko, Kambia, Bombali and Tonkolili who successfully completed training in climate-smart agriculture, good agricultural practices, cashew agroforestry, agribusiness and other practical agricultural practices.
She said she now hopes to use her knowledge and experience to encourage more women in her community and surrounding communities to take up cashew farming.
“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,” she said.
Sesay expressed appreciation to Solidaridad West Africa and the European Union in Sierra Leone for the training and other support she received.
For her, owning a cashew farm represents not only a personal achievement but also an opportunity to become more self-reliant, support her family and inspire other women to participate in cashew farming.
The DISCA-VC Project is implemented under the European Union Jobs and Growth Programme, with support from the European Union in Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Solidaridad West Africa and its partners, Develop Salone and Nianada.
The certification of the 80 farmers is expected to strengthen farmer-led extension services and contribute to building a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient cashew value chain in Sierra Leone.