Findings on the Assessment and Review of current Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) approaches by smallholders in all 15 Districts of Sierra Leone were today presented by the BAFS/MAF hired consultant to officials from the European Union (EU), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), and some agriculture stakeholders from the private sector.

 The overall objective of the Assessment and Review of current Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) approaches by smallholders in all 15 Districts of Sierra Leone was to identify and document existing CSA approaches/practices/technologies in Sierra Leone that will enable stakeholders to understand the opportunities and constraints to adopting CSA technologies or practices.

Key findings of the assessment and review exercise show that there are already a lot of good CSA practices embedded into the farming activities of smallholder farmers that enhance integration and sustainable adaption of elements of CSA approaches. It is also evident that local crop production plays an integral role in farming systems with little emphasis on livestock.

Suggestions and comments were made by attendees and it is expected that the consultant will review and incorporate inputs made into the report for final submission to MAF.

The exercise is being funded by the European Union in Sierra Leone through its BAFS Project under MAF.

More information about the EU’s support to the agriculture sector in Sierra Leone can be found on the BAFS website https:/bafs.org.sl and the NAO website www.nao.gov.sl.

The BAFS Project, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and with funding from the European Union is supporting the MAF and farmers in land preparation for rice cultivation. Sanitation is a key part of farming activities to prevent COVID-19. Therefore, the BAFS Project has provided Veronica buckets, hand sanitizers, hand wash, tissue towels, chlorine powder, and sensitization posters, banners and car stickers to the MAF district offices and farmers to help prevent the spread. The BAFS Project, is reaching out to farmers and farming households in all the regions of Sierra Leone to promote the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. We first hit it off in Port Loko District.