By: Aminata Sesay
Women farmers in Dadala Village, Sowa Chiefdom, Pujehun District, are increasing vegetable production following support from the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP).
The women, many of whom are household heads, have traditionally relied on vegetable farming for food and income. However, open-field farming has exposed them to changing weather conditions and other challenges that affect production, particularly during unfavourable growing periods.
Councillor Marian Momoh Soa said vegetable farming remains an important source of livelihood for women in Dadala but noted that many farmers lacked the resources needed to expand production.
“My people just need a little support, such as improved seeds and fertilizer,” she said.
The situation is changing following support provided through FSRP under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with funding from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP).
Dadala is among 21 communities selected to benefit from the intervention, which includes greenhouses, improved seeds, irrigation facilities and training to help farmers increase production and manage climate-related risks.
For farmer Musu Bockarie, the intervention has provided an opportunity to learn new methods of vegetable farming.
“This is my first time experiencing vegetable growing in a greenhouse,” she said.
Musu and other women farmers have received training in greenhouse management, efficient water use and sustainable vegetable production under controlled conditions.
The impact of the intervention became evident on October 7, when representatives of FSRP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security joined the women of Dadala to witness their first greenhouse harvest.
Community members, including Hon. Sheka Musa Samah, were also present during the harvest, which marked a significant milestone for the beneficiary farmers.
The greenhouse is expected to enable the women to produce vegetables more consistently while improving their livelihoods and strengthening household food security.
For the women of Dadala, the intervention provides not only a new farming facility but also access to improved farming methods, knowledge and resources to help them adapt to climate-related challenges and increase agricultural production.
The experience in Dadala highlights how targeted support for women farmers can contribute to food production, household livelihoods and community resilience.