The impact of the Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (AVDP) support on farmers’ livelihoods is gradually increasing. Apart from its traditional value chain support programme in rice, cocoa and oil palm production, the project has inspired hundreds of farmers especially the disables to embark on mass production of vegetables as part of growing efforts to increase their livelihoods and income. In line with the Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF) initiative, AVDP is supporting to vegetable growers in Koinadugu, Falaba,Port Loko and Karene and the Western Area Rural districts to embark on especially onion and ground nut production.

Following the supply of agricultural inputs such as seeds, machinery and other technical support provided by the AVDP, the farmers are now poised to produce large scale vegetables that will to reduce importation of particularly onion which accounts for millions of dollars annually. This is done within a target population of women and women-headed households, persons with disabilities, and female youths. The aim is to boost household incomes and nutrition which is aligned with the Quick Action Economic Response Programme (QAERP) of the Government of Sierra Leone.

The RPSF is organized into two mutually reinforcing components: (1) Enhancing vegetable and groundnut production with an expected outcome of increasing vegetable and groundnut production and productivity through the provision of inputs such as climate resilient, high-yielding and fast-growing seeds, as well as powered machinery and tools for land preparation and transplanting.

The second aspect is the provision of remote digital agricultural extension and market information through the establishment of a digital platform. The expected outcome of this component is the setting up of a digital platform for agricultural extension and market information, as well as ensuring relevant sensitization content.

The project is benefiting over 1,000 rural farming households of which 60% will be women and women-headed households, 40% of persons with disabilities, and 25% of youths.

Following the distribution of over 250 bags of improved groundnut seeds to 10 farming Communities in Karene district, the first set of harvesting is already completed in the Karene district, while onion was also harvested, packaged and branded for sale in Lungi, Port Loko district, thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture through support provided by IFAD. The beneficiary farmers are particularly upbeat that with the recent supply of over 30 mini power tillers and its implements to the various farming communities, large scale vegetable production will become a major source of income generation for thousands of women and other category of young people in Sierra Leone.