Project Title: Youth in Agriculture Project

 Project Location: Nationwide

Project Duration: January 2024 – December 2028

Overview:

The Youth in Agriculture Project in Sierra Leone represents a comprehensive national effort to transform the agricultural sector into a viable source of employment, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment for the country’s young population. Building on the lessons from earlier initiatives like the Car Wash Project, these agricultural programs emphasize skills development, sustainable livelihoods, and private sector engagement.

Project Objective(s):

Overall Objective(s):

The overall objective of the project is in accordance with the Government Agricultural policy of increasing food production and diversification of the present farming system to attain sustainable food security and job creation.

 Project Specific Objectives

• Facilitate land acquisition and accessibility for agricultural investment.
• To engage youth in agriculture as a source of employment and wealth creation capable of providing career fulfillment.
• Facilitate acquisition and accessibility of financing resources for women and youth to invest in agriculture.
• To make agriculture attractive to youth and thereby creating employment opportunities for young people.
• To create a sense of awareness for the youths towards sustainable agriculture production and re-organize and strengthen the interest of youth in agribusiness.
• Facilitate acquisition of agricultural inputs, machinery, and other necessary support services.
• Facilitate development and use of irrigation infrastructure and stores.
• Enhance marketing of agricultural products.
• Enhance mitigation and adaptation to climate change and variability.
• Promote technical and entrepreneurship skills.
• Facilitate linkage between youth and other youth agriculture support initiatives.

Project Components/Brief Description

• Chiefdom Youth Farms Rice Production (in 150 chiefdoms)
• Youth Agro Enterprise Equipment (for a complete value chain approach)
• Financial Loan Scheme to 400 women and youth groups involved Crop Production, Livestock, Poultry and Food Processing
• Establishment of 150 Fish Farming Sites
• 50% Loan Recovery Scheme
• Social Mobilization
• Capacity Building and Study Tour
• Exhibition and Trade Fair

Beneficiaries:

Direct Beneficiaries:

The project will benefit 143,750 young men and women across the country especially at chiefdom level; this will include graduate and youth with no educational background. This number will increase over a two year period as the value chain develops. The beneficiaries are indicated below in the various components.

Project Sustainability: