BY PROBLYN J ALPHA
In a bid to foster women’s inclusion and empowerment in agriculture, Jericho Road Ministries, under the leadership of Project Manager Anito David Sebba, has initiated a groundbreaking project titled “Empowering Women Through Agriculture” in Kono and Port Loko Districts of Sierra Leone.
Mr. Sebba underscored the pivotal role of women in driving agricultural development and highlighted the project’s objectives during an interview with our correspondent. The initiative aims to equip women with essential farming skills, providing them with the necessary knowledge to cultivate professionally and generate sustainable profits post-harvest. Through this, the project endeavors to foster self-reliance among women, thereby benefiting their families and contributing to the nation’s Feed Sierra Leone agenda.
Under the pilot phase of the project, women’s farming organizations in beneficiary chiefdoms of Kono District, particularly Gbense and Kamara chiefdoms, are receiving crucial support in the form of free seedlings and agricultural inputs from Jericho Road Ministries. Mr. Sebba emphasized that the project is altruistic in nature, with no expectation of immediate returns, aiming solely to empower women to become independent farmers capable of making significant contributions to the development of their communities and the nation at large.
Advocating for government support, Mr. Sebba urged the authorities to prioritize women’s empowerment through agriculture, recognizing their indispensable role in the sector. He further invoked the historical significance of women in agriculture, highlighting their role as initiators of farming practices.
Addressing women who may not have yet benefited from the pilot phase, Mr. Sebba encouraged perseverance in their farming endeavors, urging them to remain committed and hopeful for the project’s success. He expressed optimism that a successful pilot phase would pave the way for broader implementation across additional chiefdoms in both Kono and Port Loko Districts.
The “Empowering Women Through Agriculture” project stands as a testament to Jericho Road Ministries’ commitment to gender inclusivity and agricultural development, aiming to catalyze positive socio-economic change within Sierra Leonean communities.
