By: Idrissa Jerry Kargbo (SiLNoRF Communication Unit StoryLab Creative_Pro)
In the heart of Southern Sierra Leone, where fertile land meets the harsh realities of hunger and poverty, a new chapter of hope is unfolding. The Sierra Leone Network on the Right to Food (SiLNoRF), in partnership with WellFound Sierra Leone and supported by Welthungerhilfe (WHH), has officially launched a transformative project titled “Increasing Agricultural Productivity to Reduce Hunger among the Poor Rural Population in Moyamba District (RAB: SLE 1128)”, jointly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) 75% and WHH 25%.
This initiative comes at a critical moment for Moyamba District, where hunger is not just a statistic but a daily reality for thousands of families. Despite agriculture employing nearly 75% of the population, food insecurity remains alarmingly high. Fourteen percent of households spend more than three quarters of their income on food, yet only nine percent have access to acceptable food consumption. Years of degraded soils, climate shocks, lack of irrigation, outdated farming tools, and limited access to finance and markets have weakened the productivity of smallholder farmers. At the same time, access to clean water remains dangerously low, leaving many communities vulnerable to waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and poor health outcomes. Women and youth, who form the backbone of rural agriculture, continue to face systemic barriers in accessing land, finance, and decision-making opportunities.
It is within this context that SiLNoRF and its partners are implementing this comprehensive and integrated project across 30 communities in the chiefdoms of Kargboro, Ribbi, and Upper Banta. The project will directly benefit 2,010 households, representing 12,060 individuals, including 51% women, while an additional 10,000 people will benefit indirectly. Its overall goal is clear and ambitious: to improve food, nutrition, and hygiene security through sustainable agriculture, inclusive economic systems, and equitable access to natural resources.
Beyond immediate relief, this project addresses the structural causes of hunger and poverty. Farmers will receive training in climate-resilient agriculture, including soil fertility management, crop diversification, composting, and sustainable pest control. They will gain access to improved tools, irrigation pumps, storage facilities, and quality seeds, enabling them to increase productivity and reduce post-harvest losses by at least 20%. By the end of the project, 80% of farmers are expected to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, while 90% will utilize irrigation systems to stabilize production despite changing weather conditions.
Access to safe water and improved nutrition forms another cornerstone of the intervention. The project will construct 20 new wells and rehabilitate 10 existing wells, ensuring that all 2,010 targeted households have access to safe drinking water. Thirty water and nutrition committees will be established and trained to promote hygiene, sanitation, and healthy feeding practices. These measures are expected to significantly reduce waterborne diseases and improve household nutrition across participating communities.
Equally transformative is the project’s focus on economic empowerment and financial inclusion. A total of 1,680 farming households will be organized into 30 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), 30 Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs), and three cooperatives. These structures will strengthen farmers’ access to credit, enable collective marketing, and improve their bargaining power in local markets. By the end of the project, at least 60% of households are expected to report increased agricultural income, while VSLA groups will complete multiple loan cycles, strengthening financial resilience at the household level.
Importantly, the project also tackles one of the most sensitive and critical issues in rural Sierra Leone land rights. Through awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and support for land transfer processes in line with the Customary Land Act 2022, at least 360 women will obtain secure land ownership. In addition, 2,010 households and 530 stakeholders, including civil society actors, media, and local authorities, will gain improved understanding of land rights and governance. This marks a significant step toward correcting historical inequalities and ensuring women can fully participate in agricultural production and economic decision-making.
The project also emphasizes community ownership and long-term sustainability. Village-level institutions, including water committees, farmer groups, and cooperatives, will be strengthened to ensure that progress continues beyond the project lifecycle. Capacity building support, including digital financial management and monitoring systems, will improve transparency, accountability, and effectiveness among local partners and stakeholders.
The expected impact of this initiative goes beyond improved harvests. It represents a pathway toward dignity, resilience, and opportunity. Families will have better access to food, clean water, and income. Women and youth will gain greater control over resources and livelihoods. Communities will be better equipped to withstand climate shocks and economic challenges.
For Moyamba District, where hunger and hardship have persisted for generations, this project arrives not as a temporary intervention, but as a strategic and timely investment in people, systems, and the future. It reflects a shared commitment between SiLNoRF, its partners, and the communities themselves to build sustainable solutions rooted in empowerment, rights, and local leadership.
As implementation begins, the message is clear: change is not only necessary it is already underway.
