€1.8 Million Project Launches to Transform Moyamba’s Agriculture

A significant development initiative valued at €1.8 million has been launched in Moyamba District, Sierra Leone. This project aims to address critical challenges such as food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and limited access to essential services within rural agricultural communities.

The "SLE 1128 Project" is a comprehensive three-year intervention scheduled to run from November 2025 through October 2028. Its primary objectives include increasing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and strengthening climate resilience. Additionally, the project will expand access to water, sanitation, nutrition, and land governance support across 30 target communities.

Funding for the initiative is provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through Welthungerhilfe (WHH). Implementation is being managed jointly by the Sierra Leone Network on the Right to Food (SiLNoRF) and WellFound Sierra Leone.

During the official launch ceremony, representatives from the development partners characterized the project as an integrated response to the systemic hardships faced by rural households dependent on agriculture.Sustainable Systems for Long-Term Resilience

Ms. Zuzana Brehova, Head of Programmes at Welthungerhilfe (WHH), emphasized that the project’s design extends beyond immediate agricultural yields to focus on establishing sustainable community structures.

"This initiative is not only about increasing production, but about strengthening systems that allow communities to thrive sustainably from economic, social, and environmental perspectives," Ms. Brehova stated.

She further noted that the collaboration between BMZ, WHH, SiLNoRF, and WellFound reflects a unified commitment to addressing the root causes of food insecurity through a community-centered approach.

SiLNoRF, leading the components related to food security and land governance, intends the project to deliver tangible results at the household level. Mr. Abass J. Kamara, Deputy National Coordinator of SiLNoRF, asserted that the intervention is focused on practical application rather than mere policy discussion.

He described a scenario where farmers currently facing health issues from unsafe water or lacking adequate tools would soon have access to clean water, modern farming techniques, and financial support through savings groups to increase their yields.

The project will specifically support farmer productivity through climate-smart agriculture, provision of modern tools, and the establishment of Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs). These efforts are aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and increasing overall household income.

The broader objective is to facilitate a transition for farming households from subsistence living to stable, income-generating agricultural livelihoods.

The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) component, managed by WellFound Sierra Leone, is a critical pillar of the project. Mr. Andrew Mustapha, Country and Programme Director of WellFound Sierra Leone, noted that poor access to safe water negatively impacts rural productivity by increasing the disease burden.

Mr. Lansana H. Sowa, Head of Programmes at SiLNoRF, presented the technical framework of the SLE 1128 project, outlining its five core pillars:

1. Livelihoods and Financial Empowerment: Strengthening Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and cooperatives to improve market access and credit.

2. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Value Chain Development: Introducing irrigation systems and modern techniques to increase productivity and reduce environmental impact.

3. WASH and Nutrition: Enhancing access to safe drinking water and nutritional awareness. 

4. Gender Equality and Land Rights: Promoting equitable land access, particularly for women and youth, in alignment with the Customary Land Rights Act (2022). 

5. Institutional Capacity Strengthening: Improving financial accountability and data-driven reporting to ensure transparent delivery.

The project is expected to deliver enhanced food security, increased household incomes, and a reduction in waterborne diseases across the 30 target communities.

Mr. Sowa concluded by describing the SLE 1128 project as a shared vision for rural transformation based on the principles of inclusion and sustainability.

The launch concluded with a dialogue between community members and project implementers. Residents inquired about the distribution timelines for equipment and the schedule for water infrastructure development.

This interactive session underscored the project’s commitment to transparency and community ownership.

For the families in Moyamba, the success of the SLE 1128 initiative will be evaluated based on improved health outcomes, increased agricultural yields, and greater resilience to economic and climate shocks.

As implementation proceeds, there is high expectation that the partnership between SiLNoRF, WellFound Sierra Leone, WHH, and BMZ will foster lasting positive change in this vital agricultural region.

The "SLE 1128 project" represents a significant opportunity for rural families in Moyamba to secure a more prosperous and sustainable future.