By: Isatu Yollah Bangura
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), through its Agricultural Extension Services Division, has concluded a one-day Business-to-Business (B2B) engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration among agricultural stakeholders and improving farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, services, and business opportunities.
The engagement, supported by FIPS-AFRICA, brought together input-supply companies and Village-Based Advisors (VBAs) in Bo to showcase their business models, products, services, and potential partnership opportunities.
Speaking at the engagement, Director Alpha Yayah Mansaray described the initiative as an opportunity to “meet, connect and do business.” He said many smallholder farmers continue to face challenges in accessing agricultural inputs, noting that the engagement was intended to help bridge that gap while improving farmers’ knowledge and encouraging them to view agriculture as a business.
Emmanuel Marrah, National Liaison Officer for FIPS-AFRICA, said the initiative seeks to empower smallholder farmers through technology and the Small Package Initiative to increase agricultural production.
He said the initiative has so far supported about 20,000 farmers with seeds, training, and other forms of assistance.
“We are not only giving inputs and training, but linking you to major service providers such as Seed Tech and Tivamya is the best way to sustain the initiative,” Marrah said.
For the service providers, the engagement provided an opportunity to market their products, identify potential dealers, develop customer databases, and expand their reach, particularly in underserved communities such as those in Karene District.
Amos Saati of Seed Tech said the company is ready to work with farmers who are prepared to scale up production and increase their profits.
“Part of selling seeds is also teaching you the knowledge and skills to grow them. These seeds are adaptable to Sierra Leone’s soil,” he said.
Lilian Bayeh Haja Rogers, CEO of Tivamya, said the company provides farmers with access to quality seeds, value-addition services, and market opportunities in rice, cassava, livestock, and oil palm.
“I am overwhelmed by the interest farmers have shown in accessing quality seeds because bumper harvests start with good soil and the quality seeds you plant,” she said.
Other companies, including Tijah Company, African Seeds, GIFarming, and Leecon Poultry, also used the platform to connect with farmers and strengthen their supply-chain databases.
Farmers participating in the engagement were drawn from the five districts implementing the FIPS-AFRICA Phase One Initiative: Moyamba, Port Loko, Kenema, Karene, and Bo.