By Ibrahim Kamara
Sifting rice to remove the husks
I wanted to share with you my experience today that has deepened my appreciation for the remarkable resilience and hard work of our farmers in Sierra Leone. During my visit to some of our farms, I was moved to witness the farmers processing rice freshly harvested from their fields, preparing to serve it as their evening meal. It was a humbling and inspiring sight; a testament to the cycle of hard work and reward.
Alongside this I marveled at the sight of newly planted cucumbers and peanuts sprouting vibrantly; a sign of hope for the future harvest. As we navigate the complexities of our agriculture practices, many of the crops we grow, such as rice, cassava, and certain varieties of corn and okra, take up to six months to mature. However, fast growoing crops like peanuts, cucumbers, and other varieties of corn and okra, can be planted twice within the same growing season. This has become a vital focus for many of our farmers, as it allows them to maximize yields within the six-month rainy season when water is abundant and farming is sustainable.
I also had the privilege of seeing our dedicated seed collection team in action. They were diligently drying seeds in the sun each day before safely storing them. As Dada K, our team leader pointed out, ” The peanuts need to dry thoroughly to prevent them from germinating in the bags. If they start to sprout, the seeds will spoil.”
This attention to detail is crucial for future crop success.
The seed collection team spreads peanuts to dry in the sun.
During a visit to one of the farms, I was gifted some sweet cassava, which I prepared for a meal. The generosity of the people is both humbling and inspiring.
Sadly, the dry season poses a different challenge. Farming during this time becomes expensive due to the need for irrigation systems that many small holder farmers simply cannot afford. As a result, the opportunity to grow food in the dry months slips away, making sustainable farming a seasonal struggle.
However, with your support we can change this narrative. By investing in affordable and sustainable irrigation solutions we can help these farmers maintain their livelihoods year-round, and build a more resilient agriculture system.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can continue to support these farmers as they work to secure food for their families and communities, and build a sustainable future.
Crops are planted using no till, without the use of modern machinery