Sierra Leone took a major step towards strengthening food security and improving rural livelihoods by training 200 Village-based Advisors (VBAs). VBA services will initially support farmers in five districts – Port Loko, Karene, Moyamba, Bo, and Kenema as the first of a national roll-out.
The training, held from 13–18 March, covered the fundamentals of becoming a Village-based Advisor, including the use of small trial packs and demonstration plots to enable farmers to test and adopt new crop varieties and agricultural practices with reduced risk. A strong emphasis was placed on basic poultry management, with modules on feed formulation, housing, and disease control, including vaccination against Newcastle disease.
The programme combined technical instruction with practical, field-based learning. Participants engaged in hands-on demonstrations, reinforcing key concepts and building confidence to apply them in real farming contexts. This approach ensures that VBAs are equipped not only with knowledge but with the practical skills needed to support farmers in improving productivity, reducing losses, and strengthening household incomes.
The VBA initiative in Sierra Leone is led by colleagues at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS-AESD). FIPS, with support from Seeds of Change, can support capacity building and skills and knowledge transfer based on over 20 years’ experience of delivery in the VBA programme.’
By decentralising expertise and embedding it within local systems, the training strengthens last-mile advisory services and enhances the reach of quality agricultural knowledge.
Susan Ndung’u, Training Manager at FIPS Africa explains: ‘The partnership between FIPS Africa and the Government of Sierra Leone reflects a shared commitment to building resilient, farmer-led food systems.
By equipping frontline extension workers with practical skills, the programme accelerates the adoption of improved poultry practices at the community level. Delivered by experienced specialists from Kenya, it draws on FIPS Africa’s proven field-based model to strengthen last-mile extension and improve farmer productivity, incomes, and resilience.
In Port Loko, District Agriculture Officer Mr Emmanuel Marah has played a key role in coordinating stakeholders and ensuring effective delivery. His leadership highlights the importance of aligning national strategy with district-level implementation to achieve lasting impact.
The rollout of VBA-led poultry training marks an important milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to build a more productive and resilient agricultural sector. By investing in local capacity and practical skills, the programme is expected to improve household nutrition, increase incomes, and contribute to a more self-sufficient poultry industry.
As the training concludes, the focus will shift to scaling these practices through community networks, ensuring that the benefits are extended to over 30,000 smallholder farmers across Sierra Leone.
