Agriculture (including forestry and fisheries) is the mainstay of the Sierra Leonean economy employing over 60 percent of the labor force mostly at the subsistence level. Rice and cassava are the key staples, while cocoa, coffee; oil palm and cashew nut are the major cash crops. The agricultural sector is constrained by several factors including lack of improved inputs, labor shortages, and post-harvest losses. Land degradation and deforestation have resulted in declining soil fertility, undermining sustainable agricultural development in the country.
USAID supports integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems and rice value chain programs to increase private sector investment in agriculture, raise farm household incomes, and improve nutritional status. Besides supporting recovery activities to improve food access for vulnerable households and communities affected by Ebola, we also support community-based savings and loans schemes, provide innovative grants to small and medium sized enterprises, strengthen linkages between farmers and markets, and provide business training to producer associations. Women and youth are both beneficiaries and partners in these interventions.
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