At Bread and Water for Africa®, we are passionately committed to agriculture and food self-sufficiency. Each year, we empower smallholder farmers in Sierra Leone and beyond, helping to cultivate hope and sustainability for their families.
In 2026, 75 rural women and male youths participated in a week-long farmers’ training program in remote villages in Sierra Leone, where they also learned basic business and management skills.
In addition, they all received agricultural tools and seeds to put their new knowledge to good use thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® and our in-country partner, Rural Youth Development Organization-Sierra Leone (RYDO-SL).
“Most of the women and male youth farmers in Bumpe Ngao Chiefdom where RYDO-SL operates are unskilled,” explained its program director Joseph Kobba. “Most don’t have enough knowledge of farming practices, enterprise development, petty trading and related activities.
“Some have skills, but their knowledge is traditional. Besides, they have no startup capital.
“Therefore, training on farming and business development and going to envisaged business of their interest is the first step.”
Bread and Water for Africa® has been working with Joseph and RYDO-SL over the past four years, training nearly 300 women and young men in 17 communities in the Bumpe Ngao Chiefdom, Bo District, and enabling them to not only increase their harvests of food staples including rice, cassava and various vegetables, but to also to produce a surplus which they can sell at local markets to generate income for household expenses and pay the school fees for their children.
Joseph explained that while in Sierra Leone “farming continues to be the backbone of Sierra Leone’s economy, yet most rural households struggle to feed their families.”
He reported that while more than 90 percent of households in the region depend on farming for their basic sustenance, “productivity remains low because most smallholder farmers rely on subsistence methods, hand tools and have little knowledge of modern farming practices.”
Young people in rural communities generally “often abandon farming for urban migration, leaving women to shoulder the burden of production with very limited resources.
“As a result, farming remains unattractive and unprofitable for the next generation.”
The project features three main components:
The first component focuses on capacity building and training. Beneficiaries receive practical training in land preparation, planting, irrigation, pest management, crop rotation, and post-harvest handling. They also learn business and management skills to help them operate their farms profitably.
The second component involves providing farmers with essential tools, seeds, and other inputs to support increased production and efficient land use.
The third component promotes value chain development market access and gender equity. “This includes support for processing, packaging, branding, and connecting farmers to local and regional markets, ensuring stable income and economic sustainability,” explained Joseph.
The expected impact is clear and measurable, he noted, saying the program results in “higher yields, better food security, and increased incomes that allow families to educate their children, access healthcare, and live with greater dignity.”
We are inspired by the incredible journeys of two dedicated new farmers who took part in the transformative 2026 training. These stories showcase their hard work and celebrate their passion for farming and commitment to growth.
Cultivating Dreams: Musu’s Journey to Empowerment and Growth
Among the recent participants was Musu Marcus, who looks forward to a brighter future.
Musu, 35, a married mother of two in Mokoba Town, manages the rice farm together with her husband, but for many years they depended on traditional farming methods, which left them struggling.
“Low yields and limited access to improved farming knowledge often made it difficult to produce enough rice to meet their needs and earn additional income,” reported Joseph.
Musu’s and her family’s life “took a new direction” after she participated in a farmers' training program “as she and her husband proudly care for a healthy rice field that is developing well,” reported Joseph in June.
“The rice is growing vigorously, with strong plants and good field coverage,” he added.
“Based on the condition of the farm and the farming practices they have applied, they are hopeful that this season will produce one of their best harvests.”
The couple believes that a successful harvest will strengthen their household food security, increase their income, and enable them to invest in future farming activities while providing better opportunities for their two children.
As she walked through the green rice field, Musu shared her excitement and hope with Joseph, saying:
"Whenever I visit our rice farm, I feel encouraged because the crop is growing well.
“The training and the farming tools we received have changed the way my husband and I work together on our farm.
“We are following the improved methods we learned, and we are confident that our rice will produce a good yield.
“We sincerely thank Bread and Water for Africa® and RYDO-SL for believing in farming families like ours.
“We kindly appeal for continued support so that more families can benefit from these opportunities, and so farmers like us can expand our production and improve our lives.
“Your investment is planting seeds of hope that will continue to grow for many years to come."
Embracing Tomorrow: John’s Story of Courage and Determination
John Abu is another of those looking forward to a brighter future today after taking part in the farmers’ training program this past year.
John, 25, a hardworking motorcycle mechanic in Bumpe Town, is proving that agriculture can create new opportunities alongside skilled trades. He not only supports his wife and their young daughter, but he also works hard to pay the school fees for his two younger brothers ensuring they can complete their education.
“For many years, he relied mainly on repairing motorcycles to provide for his family,” reported Joseph. “Although he enjoyed his work, the income was often inconsistent, making it difficult to meet all of his household needs.”
Determined to improve his family’s livelihood, John enrolled in vegetable and crop production training and through it, “he learned improved farming practices, including proper land preparation, seed selection, crop spacing, the use of organic fertilizers, weed control, and effective farm management,” Joseph told us.
Motivated by the knowledge he learned , John established a groundnut (peanut) and corn garden.
Today, John's farm is flourishing.
“His groundnut and corn fields are healthy, well maintained, and showing excellent growth,” reported Joseph in June.
“If the crops continue to develop as expected, they will be ready for harvest within the next one to two months.
“The strong condition of the farm has already attracted the attention of neighbors and local traders, many of whom have expressed interest in buying his produce once harvesting begins.
“John is optimistic that the coming harvest will provide an important source of income, allowing him to support his family, reinvest in farming, and strengthen his motorcycle repair business.
“He believes that combining farming with his mechanic skills will provide greater financial security for his household.”
Looking over his thriving field, John shared his excitement with Joseph, saying:
"Whenever I walk through my groundnut and corn garden, I feel hopeful because I can already see the results of what I have learned.
“The crops are growing well, and if everything continues like this, I expect to start harvesting within the next one or two months.
“Some people have already asked when the harvest will be ready because they want to buy from me.
“That gives me confidence that my hard work will pay off.
“I sincerely thank Bread and Water for Africa® and RYDO-SL for giving me the knowledge and encouragement to start farming.
“This opportunity has shown me that with the right skills and determination, I can build a better future for my family."
John's journey demonstrates that empowering hardworking men and women with practical agricultural knowledge can create lasting economic opportunities, Joseph commented.
“By combining his trade as a motorcycle mechanic with farming, he is building a more resilient livelihood and preparing for a brighter future.
“His story is a reminder that investments in agricultural training not only improve food production but also strengthen household incomes, inspire self-reliance, and contribute to sustainable community development.”
Musu's and John’s stories reflect the importance of investing in farming families before the harvest is seen, notes Joseph.
“The knowledge, practical training, and farming tools provided through this project have already strengthened the confidence, skills, and determination of her household.
“With continued support from Bread and Water for Africa® families like Musu's and John’s will be better equipped to achieve higher agricultural productivity, improve food security, and build more resilient and prosperous rural communities.”
As we wrap up our inspiring series on the profound journeys of our trainees in Sierra Leone, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our amazing donors and supporters. Your generous contributions are truly making a difference in the lives of smallholder family farmers in Mokoba and Bumpe. Together, we are driving positive changes in agricultural practices, resource management, and community development. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey!
