Food and Income for 500 Sierra Leone Farmers

Summary

We support small farmers with loans, seeds, fertilizer and training. Started September 2016 with 20 farmers cultivating 10 Hectares (ca. 25 acres), we need new funds to double each 6 months and reach 500 farmers (3000 inhabitants) by 2020. The planned expansion from the current 50 to 100 farmers in September 2017 require still USD 4,000. Our aim is to support them becoming financially independent so they can indulge in their own farming processing with sustainability and continuity approach

$4,000
total goal

$90
remaining

36
donors

2
monthly donors

11
months

Challenge

Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa, with about 7 million inhabitants. Most of them are farmer families, living on fertile soils in rural environments. The majority (70%) of all people live in poverty, very high amounts of them in to Malal-Mara chiefdom, most of the adults are not educated. The rural villages are deprived from clean water, electricity and proper sanitary systems. Over 12% of new born children do not survive until their 5th anniversary.

Solution

SFG exploits a small, growing revolving fund: delivering loans, seeds, fertilizers, tools and training in modern agricultural methods to farmers who are committed to build better livelihoods for their families. Joining the project, farmers commit themself to perform the necessary agricultural and training activities and pay back the loans. The first maize project (September 2016 - Jan. 2017) resulted in 60-80% higher yield and a 100% pay-back of the 20 farmers loans.

Long-Term Impact

By the year 2020, SFG plans to facilitate 500 loans in-kind to farmers who receive seeds, fertilizers and training. Hunger should be eradicated, due to 60-100% higher yields and distributed knowledge of better agricultural practices. Higher income improves self-reliance and facilitates purchasing better health care, electricity, clean water and sanitary facilities. "Sharing knowledge and supporting funds create a better world".