Food Security Sierra Leone Project #28007

Food and Income for 500 Sierra Leone Farmers

by Seeds for Growth Foundation

Summary

We support small farmers with loans, seeds, fertilizer and training. Started September 2016 with 20 farmers cultivating 10 Hectares (ca. 25 acres), we request additional funds to expand each 6 months and reach 500 farmers (3000 inhabitants) by 2025. The projects are based on the provision of microcredits with accompanying agronomic knowledge transfer sessions bij our local agronome Momodu Sheku Kamara. Goal is to learn farmers the agronomic know-how and to make them financially independent.

$12,000
total goal

$3,476
remaining

53
donors

0
monthly donors

3
fundraisers

6
years

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 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 (Sept. 2016 - Jan. 2017) resulted in 60-80% higher yield and 100% pay-back of the 20 farmers loans.

Long-Term Impact

By the year 2025, 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".