Rural poverty is widespread in Sierra Leone, with poor housing and health, limited access to clean water and very low incomes. As a result, productivity is low. Improving agriculture is the priority for reducing poverty.
Farmers need better access to land, credit, inputs and technologies. The absence of modern equipment limits opportunities for adding value, while inadequate infrastructure hinder farmers’ access to markets.
IFAD has been working with the Government of Sierra Leone since 1979, including during crises. Recently, the Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF) has helped mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and other rural people across the country. This brochure highlights the stories of some of the people supported by RPSF.