Rural Communities Empowerment and Pastoral Support Through Agribusiness is a transformative venture aims to stimulate integral development within underprivileged church communities in Sierra Leone. Focusing on agricultural development, the project seeks to empower pastors, church members, and community residents to realize their full potential, thereby enhancing their living standards.

The primary components include crop cultivation and livestock rearing, enabling communities to build resilience against hardships and improve their current and future circumstances.

Project Background

Sierra Leone faces significant economic challenges that hinder the growth and prosperity of its citizens. The aftermath of an eleven-year civil war, coupled with the Ebola epidemic, the COVID-19 pandemic, and several natural disasters, has severely impacted economic development.

Insufficient agricultural knowledge, limited access to financial resources, and a lack of business acumen perpetuate poverty and impede socio-economic advancement.

To address these pressing issues and empower pastors, church members, and community residents, the Agribusiness project was conceived. The agricultural sector in Sierra Leone has great potential, given the low levels of farming activity, the scarcity of local food supplies, and the absence of commercialized farming.

This initiative aims to combat hunger, food insecurity, dependency, poverty, and unstable food pricing. Most districts possess fertile land, supporting the cultivation of diverse crops—predominantly rice, groundnuts, peppers, cassava, maize, and potatoes—facilitated by accessible labour, a favourable climate, and suitable topography for agriculture.

Project Objectives

The project intends to provide essential resources such as farming equipment, seeds, farming skills, networking and trading training to foster self-sustainable development. These strategic involvement will equip participants with knowledge of the project goals, land ownership, suitable livestock, appropriate crops to cultivate, as well as monitoring trading and networking opportunities.

Activities will be implemented in phases, emphasizing labour availability and collaborative group efforts. Networking events will facilitate connections with professionals, mentors, and potential partners, while AGDA will offer ongoing mentorship and support.

Target Areas

The Agribusiness project will be implemented across locations of existing rural churches and their surrounding communities. Identified communities without church by the Mission Arm will also be targeted across the nation.

Rationale for the Project

Sierra Leone possesses vast untapped land suitable for cultivation, accessible to Assemblies of God churches. However, many local communities face significant food supply shortages due to the lack of commercialized farming practices. This situation results in food scarcity, economic challenges, and limited self-reliance. The Agribusiness project aims to address the root cause of these challenges, create lasting impacts, and facilitate transformative development within these communities.

Partners

AGDA is collaborating with local, international non-governmental organizations, agricultural extension workers and government entities that share a vision for community empowerment. This partnership will foster a supportive ecosystem, encouraging collaboration and resource sharing among community members.

Project Duration

The implementation of the Agribusiness project will span one year and six months, allowing adequate time for arrangements regarding land ownership, farming types, equipment provision, cultivation, harvesting and Sales.

Through the Agribusiness project, AGDA aspires to uplift pastors, church members, and communities within Sierra Leone, fostering agricultural initiatives that promote transformational development and strengthen partnerships. This initiative holds the promise of empowering individuals and communities, fostering sustainable growth, and profoundly impacting the lives of those it serves.