ADPA Sierra Leone

18/01/2025

Women and youth Farmers Supported by ADPA Sierra Leone are presently engaged in second cropping activities in the low land after harvesting rice from the small scale irrigation swamp developed with support from the UNDP/ GEF/SGP. This Approach/ practice was implemented by ADPA Sierra Leone for farmers to avoid the method of shifting cultivation/slashing and burning method of Agriculture (Deforestation) and adopt sustainable climate smart Agricultural practices to enhance food security, improve livelihoods, safe communities and economic empowerment in Kenema districts.

06/10/2024

06/10/2024

ADPA Sierra Leone, in collaboration with GIZ's Employment Promotion Programme, is empowering business entrepreneurs in the Kenema and Kailahun districts through targeted business training and coaching. The programme uses the Business and Coaching Loop methodology, which enhances the entrepreneurial competencies of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This approach focuses on training in areas such as record-keeping, financial management, marketing, and business planning. Entrepreneurs receive personalized coaching to help them apply their new skills effectively and scale their businesses.

Additionally, the project fosters Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) with organizations like CAPITOL Foods, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to access markets and build sustainable business models. This initiative is a vital part of improving employment opportunities, especially for rural communities in Sierra Leone, by increasing income and promoting sustainable livelihoods through private sector engagement.

These interventions support local business growth and contribute to broader economic development in the country.

06/10/2024

ADPA Sierra Leone’s Inland Valley Swamp Rice Cultivation and Small-Scale Irrigation in Forest Edge Communities
The Agency for Development and Poverty Alleviation (ADPA) Sierra Leone is promoting Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) rice cultivation and small-scale irrigation in Tunkia and Guara Chiefdoms in the Kenema District. This initiative aims to improve agricultural productivity and enhance food security for communities living near forested areas. By utilizing inland valleys, which are naturally rich in water resources, farmers can cultivate rice more sustainably, even in the face of erratic rainfall patterns caused by climate change.

ADPA provides farmers with training on sustainable farming techniques, water management, and irrigation systems to increase rice yields. These small-scale irrigation systems ensure that farmers can grow rice year-round, reducing pressure on surrounding forests by limiting the need to expand farmland. This initiative not only boosts local food production but also contributes to environmental conservation efforts in these forest-edge communities.

06/10/2024

ADPA Sierra Leone’s Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Sensitization and Training in Kenema, Pujehun, and Kailahun Districts
The Agency for Development and Poverty Alleviation (ADPA) Sierra Leone is actively working to address critical issues of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through a comprehensive sensitization and awareness-raising campaign in the Kenema, Pujehun, and Kailahun districts. This initiative aims to educate and empower communities, especially women and youth, while fostering safer, more supportive environments for all individuals.

SRH Sensitization and Awareness
ADPA is leading efforts to improve knowledge around Sexual and Reproductive Health in rural communities, where access to healthcare services and information is often limited. Through community outreach sessions, ADPA provides critical education on family planning, maternal health, prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and safe childbirth practices. The programme also focuses on reducing adolescent pregnancy rates by equipping young people with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

By engaging traditional leaders, religious leaders, schools, and community-based organizations, ADPA ensures that SRH messages reach a broad audience, fostering a collective understanding of the importance of SRH rights and services. The initiative also links women and youth to available health services, improving access to essential care.

Gender-Based Violence Sensitization and Training
In addition to SRH, ADPA is addressing the pervasive issue of Gender-Based Violence through awareness-raising and training sessions aimed at preventing violence and promoting gender equality. In partnership with local stakeholders, ADPA educates communities about the different forms of GBV, including domestic violence, sexual assault, female ge***al mutilation (FGM), and early or forced marriages. By raising awareness of these issues, ADPA seeks to break the cultural silence around GBV and empower survivors to seek help.

06/10/2024

ADPA Sierra Leone’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) Programme in Kenema and Kailahun Districts
The Agency for Development and Poverty Alleviation (ADPA) Sierra Leone has successfully launched the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) Programme in the Kenema and Kailahun districts, providing local communities with an effective platform to improve financial inclusion and economic empowerment. This program primarily targets women, youth, and vulnerable groups, offering them access to savings and credit opportunities in areas where formal banking services are often limited or inaccessible.

Promoting Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment
Through the VSLA model, small groups of community members—often comprised of women—come together to pool their savings and provide small, low-interest loans to one another. These loans are typically used to support income-generating activities, such as starting small businesses, investing in agriculture, or improving household welfare. The program is empowering women and youth to take control of their financial future, fostering a culture of saving, investment, and responsible financial management.

Building Resilience Through Community-based Finance
In addition to promoting entrepreneurship, the VSLA programme is helping participants to build financial resilience. Group members can borrow funds to meet urgent needs, such as healthcare or education expenses, without resorting to high-interest loans from money lenders. The savings and loans also allow participants to diversify their livelihoods, improving household income and food security, especially for women who are often the backbone of rural economies.

Training and Capacity Building
ADPA, with support from its partners, provides comprehensive training to VSLA members on financial literacy, group management, record-keeping, and conflict resolution. This capacity-building component is essential for ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the groups. Members also learn about business planning, income diversification, and sustainable agricultural practices, allowing them to use their loans effectively.

Impact in Kenema and Kailahun Districts
In Kenema and Kailahun, the VSLA programme has already started transforming lives. Women and youth who previously had little to no access to credit are now able to start and grow small businesses, invest in farming, and improve their families' living conditions. The program has strengthened community cohesion and provided a safety net for many households, enabling them to cope with financial shocks and build more sustainable livelihoods.

A Pathway to Economic Growth
By fostering a sense of ownership and self-reliance, ADPA Sierra Leone’s VSLA programme is not only promoting financial independence but also contributing to the wider goal of poverty alleviation in rural areas. The initiative is a cornerstone of ADPA’s broader strategy to enhance economic growth and community resilience in some of Sierra Leone’s most underserved regions.

With continued support, the VSLA programme will expand its reach and continue to empower communities in Kenema, Kailahun, and beyond, creating pathways to financial security and sustainable development.

06/10/2024

ADPA Sierra Leone Supports Cocoa Farmers with Improved Varieties, Training, and Demonstration Plots
The Agency for Development and Poverty Alleviation (ADPA) Sierra Leone, in partnership with Solidaridad West Africa, Welthungerhilfe, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP/GEF/SGP Programme), is providing critical support to cocoa farmers in Sierra Leone through a comprehensive approach aimed at enhancing cocoa production, sustainability, and livelihoods.

Distribution of Improved Cocoa Seedlings
As part of this initiative, ADPA has distributed improved varieties of cocoa seedlings to farmers across key cocoa-growing regions. These high-yielding and disease-resistant seedlings are designed to boost productivity and ensure better resilience against climate change. The introduction of these new varieties is intended to improve the quality and quantity of cocoa produced, positioning farmers to better compete in international markets.

Training on Establishment, Management, Harvesting, and Processing
ADPA is also providing hands-on training to farmers on the establishment and management of cocoa farms, focusing on best practices in planting, pest management, and soil conservation. Farmers are learning the critical stages of harvesting and post-harvest processing, which are essential to maintain high cocoa quality for export. These trainings, supported by Solidaridad, Welthungerhilfe, and UNDP, equip farmers with the technical knowledge needed to increase productivity and adopt sustainable farming techniques.

Establishment of Demonstration Plots
To reinforce practical learning, ADPA, in collaboration with its partners, has set up demonstration plots in key farming communities. These plots serve as learning hubs where farmers can observe and practice the latest techniques in cocoa farming, from proper seedling management to post-harvest processing. The demo plots showcase sustainable methods that reduce environmental impact, improve yields, and enhance the economic prospects for farmers.

A Collaborative Approach to Sustainable Cocoa Production
Through this partnership with Solidaridad West Africa, Welthungerhilfe, and the UNDP/GEF/SGP Programme, ADPA is not only increasing cocoa production but also promoting sustainable agricultural practices that safeguard the environment and improve livelihoods. The initiative is directly contributing to poverty reduction by helping farmers access better markets, improve product quality, and adopt climate-smart agriculture.

This comprehensive support empowers farmers with the resources, knowledge, and tools to build resilient, profitable, and sustainable cocoa farming systems, ultimately contributing to Sierra Leone’s agricultural development and economic growth.

06/10/2024

Robust Training of Established Farmer cooperative members on quality processing and Marketing strategies of cocoa beans according to Fair Trade Standards in Kenema and Kailahun districts

06/10/2024