By: Saidu Jalloh
Women farmers in 15 rural communities across Kenema District have begun establishing organic manure production sites as part of a Climate-Smart Agriculture Project aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices and strengthening communities’ resilience to climate change.
The project, funded by CISU – Civilsamfund i Udvikling through Ingeniører Uden Grænser (IUG), provides rural women farmers with practical, community-based solutions designed to improve agricultural productivity while protecting the environment.
According to project implementers, the initiative focuses on converting biodegradable waste into nutrient-rich organic compost, providing farmers with an environmentally friendly alternative for improving soil fertility. They explained that the use of organic manure helps restore degraded soils, enhance crop yields, reduce dependence on costly chemical fertilizers, and promote healthier and more sustainable farming methods.
The project team further noted that the initiative addresses the challenge of organic waste management by transforming waste materials into valuable agricultural resources. Through this approach, communities are able to reduce environmental pollution while promoting a circular economy where locally available materials are reused to support agricultural development.
Project officials emphasized that for rural women, organic manure production represents more than just a farming activity. They described it as an investment in food security, improved household incomes, environmental conservation, and long-term climate resilience.
They added that by equipping farming communities with locally driven and practical solutions, the project is enhancing their capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change while protecting the productivity of agricultural land for future generations.
The Climate-Smart Agriculture Project forms part of wider efforts to promote sustainable agricultural practices, empower rural communities, and strengthen resilient livelihoods amid changing climatic conditions.