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The Fresh Produce Shop Nurturing Women in Agriculture Across Sierra Leone


Nyanda Local Market, a bustling enterprise in the heart of Freetown, is more than just a place to buy fresh produce. It’s a testament to the power of women’s empowerment and agricultural innovation, driven by the vision of Madam Bintu Gbaio and her organization, Women in Agriculture and Development Sierra Leone (WIAD-SL).

Born from the desire to provide an outlet for WIAD-SL’s agricultural products and support other outgrowers, Nyanda has become a beacon of success.

Since its inception in 2018, Madam Bintu has partnered with women in Kailahun district, providing them with seeds, technical assistance, and tools, fostering a collaborative share-harvesting model.



Their efforts have yielded impressive results. WIAD-SL boasts a thriving seed bank and has produced over 1,000 50kg bags of rice, with ambitious plans for further growth. Beyond rice, they cultivate vast cassava plantations, processing the harvest into diverse products like Garri, fufu, and cassava flour, all available at Nyanda Local Market.

The impact extends far beyond economic empowerment. Recognizing the importance of education, WIAD-SL implemented adult literacy programs and even sponsored members to pursue primary and secondary education. One member is even preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, a remarkable achievement.

Nyanda Local Market serves as a sustainable platform for the women’s produce, ensuring fair compensation and inclusivity. It also caters to older women who may not be actively involved in farm work, offering opportunities for all age groups.

A beneficiary expressed gratitude for the initiative, highlighting the acquisition of valuable skills in crop cultivation, especially in growing vegetables that generate income.

Madam Bintu Gabio emphasized that Nyanda Local Market’s registration as an affiliate of WIAD-SL ensures sustainability. The market sells various products produced by the women, supporting those who may no longer engage actively in farm work due to age.

Madam Gabio appealed to the government and other organizations for support, acknowledging the contribution of a few agricultural processing machines provided by the World Bank and SCARDEP. She expressed a commitment to feeding Sierra Leone through their initiative if given the necessary support from the government.

The success of Nyanda Local Market serves as a testament to the transformative impact of empowering women in agriculture, not just economically but also through education and skill development.



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To Drastically Reduce Onion Importation in 2 Years… Agriculture Minister Examines Pee Cee & Sons Onion Cultivation Site in Port Loko District


In a recent announcement, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Henry Musa Kpaka, expressed his optimism about reducing onion imports to Sierra Leone in the coming years. Kpaka, who concluded his first full week in his role, visited the onion-rich region of Port Loko District and outlined plans to curtail the country’s dependency on imported onions within two and a half years.

The onion belt in Port Loko, boasting over 1,200 hectares of suitable lowland for onion cultivation, holds the key to this ambitious endeavour. The majority of onion cultivation in this area is carried out by smallholder farmers, who possess the necessary skills but face several challenges. Despite these obstacles, the potential benefits associated with the onion value chain are apparent to these farmers.

Minister Kpaka’s pivotal moment of conviction came during a visit to the Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) mechanized onion production site in Mathen village, Lokomasama Chiefdom. This site has demonstrated that Sierra Leone has the capability to significantly increase domestic onion production and thereby reduce the reliance on imports.



Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) conducted a pilot project covering 5.6 hectares of mechanized onion production last year, yielding 10 metric tons per hectare, which is below the estimated potential. However, with adjustments to soil pH, they anticipate achieving up to 30 metric tons per hectare.

Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) has strategically planned to cultivate 75 hectares during the October-December cycle and again in the February-May 2024 cycle. If these plans are executed successfully, an additional 4,500 metric tons of onions could be introduced to the market within the two cycles. To provide context, official trade data indicates that Sierra Leone imported slightly under 1,000 metric tons of onions in the entirety of 2022.

In a noteworthy initiative, Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) supported 900 smallholder farmers last year by providing inputs, mechanized plowing services, and training in sound agronomic practices for onion cultivation. The future prospects are even brighter, as Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) aims to dedicate nearly 640 hectares to onion cultivation within the next three years. These promising statistics are indicative of a potential path for Sierra Leone to transition from an onion importer to a net-exporter.

President Bio’s Feed Salone Programme, known for its strategic integration of the private sector to drive agricultural transformation, plays a significant role in this endeavour. The Government is dedicated to supporting private sector actors such as Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS), recognizing that their success contributes to the overall prosperity of the nation.

As Sierra Leone sets its sights on self-sufficiency in onion production, Minister Kpaka’s enthusiasm and the progressive efforts of entities like Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) provide hope that the nation’s reliance on imported onions could be dramatically reduced within the next two years.



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