Smallholder Commercialization and Agri-Busness Development Project - SCADeP

AS IT PHASES OUT: SCADeP COMMENCES LAST IMPLEMENTATION SUPPRT MISSION WITH MAFS AND WORLD BANK

The Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP) has commenced it half yearly implementation Support Mission at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security conference hall at the Youyi building in Freetown.

The mission is a sixth monthly activity where project performance is assessed, activities examined and new target made for the smooth implementation of the project. Challenges faced by the project during implementation are also highlighted, discussed and re-forecasted for greater impact.

Speaking at the inception meeting. Henry Kamara, Project lead, noted that this particular mission is of marked significanse as it is the last preview meeting. He noted it is a normal practice to review project achievements but that this one seeks to close the project in a good footing.

World Bank Task team lead Dr. Olatunji Oredikpe emphasized that the mission is the last as the project is slated to completely shutdown by 31st January 2026 at which time the project will turn 10 years since implementation began. “ This is the time to show result” he said. He went on to state that the project will close on both the side of the World Bank and that of the Sierra Leone Government but that he is happy that the environmental and social safeguards components and looking good.

Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture thanked the World Bank team for their support especially the Task Team lead. He pointed out that SCADeP is a model project that has done very well in quite a number of areas. He recalled the completion and commissioning of the Mattru Jong and Gendema bridges and noted that he would want everything that needs to be done for the remaining two bridges of Manowa and Tompare to be done and successfully launched. He thank other implementing partners and MDA’s for the work done. Presentation of the project report with key highlights and discussions climaxed the inception meeting

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TWO UP - TWO MORE TO GO: SCADeP PROJECT TRIUMPHS AS PRESIDENT BIO COMMISSIONS GENDEMA BRIDGE

On the 30th of November the president of Sierra Leone. Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio Commissioned the Gendema bridge in the Kenema district.

The completed Gendema bridge is one of four bridges being constructed by the SACDeP project and the second to be commissioned after the Mattru bridge commissioning. Two more bridges remain; the Manowa and Tompare bridges in the Kailahun and Karene districts.

The Gendema bridge commissioning drew a plethora of beneficiaries from the Simbaru, Wandor and surrounding chiefdoms.

The project is a landmark capital-intensive project that will facilitate economic opportunity in the mining and Agric sectors, reduce travel time and enhance regional integration of the Simbaru, Wandor and Golama Mende Chiefdoms in the Kenema District. It will further foster inter district connectivity by linking the Bo, Kenema, Tonkolili and Kono districts.

This project is implemented by the Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP) under the Ministry of agriculture and Food Security and is a significant boost to the “Feed Salone” agricultural flagship program.

Prominent amongst the dignitaries who attended where the first lady of Sierra Leone Mrs. Fatima Bio, the Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh, the World Bank Country Manager Abdu Mwonge, The Minister of Finance Shecku Ahmed Fantamadi Kabba, the Minister of Agriculture Henry Musa Kpaka, SCADeP Project Coordinator Henry Kamara, Minister of works Dennis Sandy, paramount chieves and a host of senior government officers.

SCADeP Project Coordinator Dr. Henry Kamara highlighted the key roles of partners in the successful completion of the project.

Minister of Finance, Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, hailed the grand infrastructural achievement and appealed to the World Bank to further consider supporting the road leading to the new structure.

Minister of Agriculture, Henry Musa kpaka, commended the project implementation team and noted the strategic importance of agricultural market access. He outlined major 2025 achievements under the Feed Salone Programme, including the establishment of a seeds testing lab, research stations, weather index insurance, and a financing scheme totalling $24 million for farmers.

World Bank Country Manager Abdu Mwonge pointed to the bridge’s economic significance especially for the cocoa, coffee, and oil palm sectors which are predominant within the area. Gendema he said, has transformed to a cosmopolitan town and that the bridge will facilitate access to essential services for thousands.
In his keynote, President Bio described Gendema bridge commissioning as “timely and meaningful”.

“This bridge not only links Simbaru, Wandor and Golama Mende but effectively connects the North, South, and Eastern regions—bringing benefits to farmers, traders, pregnant women, schoolchildren, and the sick who now have safer and faster access to essential services. This is meaningful and not cosmetic development,” the President said.

He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to enhance democracy and human capital development, stressing that education remains the greatest out of poverty.

The president announced that apart from the four bridges are already being constructed, another four ferry crossing points across Sierra Leone will be converted into bridges totalling eight.
He assured the community that he will further engage the World Bank for the roads leading to the Gendema Bridge to be constructed.

SCADeP/MAFS COMPLETES A SIGNIFICANT MILE STONE IN MARKET ACCESS IMPROVEMENT

In a well attended commissioning ceremony at the Mattru court barry in the Mattru township, the president of Sierra Leone Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio has commissioned the Mattru Senehun bridge. The bridge replaces a colonial relic (Manual hand drawn cable ferry)

This marks a historic moment for the people of Jong Chiefdom as the manual cable ferry and dug out conoes previously used posed a lot of challenges to commuters, especially at the height of the rainy seasons.

The bridge, which was constructed by Sino Hydro and Sino Hydro 9 joint ventures, is 160 meters long and is built to last for 100 years.

SCADeP, a project under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was tasked with management and fijudiciary oversight in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) and M I1arsiswe/ICS a joint international and local engineering consulting firm to build the bridge following prescribed specifications.

The bridge is the first of a batch of four, which are in advanced stages of construction pending commissioning.

Funding for the construction was done by the World Bank after an appeal by HE, the president, to specifically replace manual cable ferries along major rivers in the country with standard capital driven modern bridges.

The economic benefits of the bridges are immense, ranging from an increase in agricultural commercialization, improved logistical movements, ease in market access for farmers and their produce, reduction in traffic and travel time, boost in security respons time and much more.

The remaining bridges currently under construction; Gendema, Manowa, and Tompare, will be commissioned in due time.

©️ SCADeP Comms

SCADeP/MAFS COMPLETES A SIGNIFICANT MILE STONE IN MARKET ACCESS IMPROVEMENT

In a well attended commissioning ceremony at the Mattru court barry in the Mattru township, the president of Sierra Leone Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio has commissioned the Mattru Senehun bridge. The bridge replaces a colonial relic (Manual hand drawn cable ferry)

This marks a historic moment for the people of Jong Chiefdom as the manual cable ferry and dug out conoes previously used posed a lot of challenges to commuters, especially at the height of the rainy seasons.

The bridge, which was constructed by Sino Hydro and Sino Hydro 9 joint ventures, is 160 meters long and is built to last for 100 years.

SCADeP, a project under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was tasked with management and fijudiciary oversight in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) and Marsiswe/ICS a joint international and local engineering consulting firm to build the bridge following prescribed specifications.

The bridge is the first of a batch of four, which are in advanced stages of construction pending commissioning.

Funding for the construction was done by the World Bank after an appeal by HE, the president, to specifically replace manual cable ferries along major rivers in the country with standard capital driven modern bridges.

The economic benefits of the bridges are immense, ranging from an increase in agricultural commercialization, improved logistical movements, ease in market access for farmers and their produce, reduction in traffic and travel time, boost in security respons time and much more.

The remaining bridges currently under construction; Gendema, Manowa, and Tompare, will be commissioned in due time.

©️ SCADeP Comms

SCADeP's CONTRIBUTION TO MEETING THE NATIONAL REQUIREMENT OF THE SIERRA LEONE' STAPLE

INTRODUCTION – The Rice Sector

Rice is Sierra Leone's staple food, constituting approximately 75% of the agricultural contribution to the country's GDP. With an annual per capita rice consumption of 131kg, one of the highest in West Africa, and a population of 8.421 million (2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census), the yearly rice consumption requirement is estimated at 530,000 metric tons. Cultivated in diverse ecologies, including upland, Inland Valley Swamps, Bolilands, Mangrove Swamps, and Riverine Grasslands, Sierra Leone's national rice production in 2022 reached 1,260,000 metric tons of paddy (FAO GIEWS Country Brief, November 2022), equivalent to 400,000 metric tons of milled rice. This results in an estimated annual import requirement of 130,000 metric tons valued at US$80,600,000 (US$620 per metric ton as of end September 2023). Some other official statistics have put rice imports at a value of US$$100 million. Despite having 5.4 million hectares of arable land, with over 1 million hectares suitable for rice cultivation, the sector faces challenges such as diseases, pests, low soil fertility, the use of low-yielding local varieties, poor extension services, and various socio-economic factors limiting farmers' productivity.

ISSUE – Challenges and Previous Efforts

Sierra Leone's rice production is predominantly in the hands of smallholder farmers who struggle to produce enough for home consumption, let alone for commercial purposes. In 2004/2005 cropping season, 56 percent of the households cultivated less than 1 ha of farmland while only 44 percent cultivated 1 ha and more (NRDS – December 2022). The smallholder farmers, generally resource poor, utilize basic tools such as hoes, axes and cutlasses as major farm implement for rice production while labour is mainly provided by family members, thereby severely limiting their scale of production. Challenges include the widespread use of unimproved seed varieties, limited fertilizer use, low farmer-extension ratios, and suboptimal agronomic and cultural practices, resulting in low rice yields ranging from 1.0 mt/ha to 2.6 mt/ha. Despite ambitious rice production programs in collaboration with development agencies over the years, Sierra Leone remains a net rice importer. Quality issues persist in processing and marketing, affecting customer satisfaction regarding different rice grades and palatability.

ACTION – The Role of SCADeP

Component A of the SCADeP aims to strengthen the linkages between producers and agribusinesses by promoting two (2) funding models - the out-grower and aggregation schemes - making competitive finance available to both producers and agribusinesses involved in key agricultural value chains. A total of forty-three (43) rice businesses have benefitted from project support of which 6 are SLADF beneficiaries and 37 are ASMG groups. The Sierra Leone Agribusiness Development Fund (SLADF) offers competitive value chain financing, co-funded on a 50-50 basis with agribusiness contributions, to provide productivity-enhancing services and market access to smallholder farmers. On the other hand, the Agribusiness Services Matching Grant (ASMG) scheme provides small scale post-harvest infrastructure, equipment and value chain development opportunities to smallholder farmers organized into producer organizations and SMEs and operating as aggregators.

Under the SLADF out-grower model, the project built the capacity of 6 agribusinesses to provide essential resources or inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and extension advisory services to smallholder farmers. This helps smallholders achieve high productivity and product quality, with the agribusinesses also offering a market for the out-growers' produce. The ASMG funding, comprising 37 rice grantees, received infrastructure, with aggregation centers having a holding capacity of 1,480 metric tons at a time. Additionally, the rice milling machines, each with an installed capacity of 2 metric tons per hour supplied to rice value chain grantees have significantly increased the rice processing capacity (value addition) within these communities, hence providing opportunities for increased market linkages. The project's technical assistance to all the grantees covered record keeping, data for decision making, access to finance, growth strategies and business compliance and the rule of law, propelling SCADeP's achievement in enhanced productivity, innovation, and market reach.

Through the capacity building support to state and non-state actors by the project, agribusinesses, producer organizations, and SMEs have benefited from the provision of services relevant to smallholder commercialization. For example, the Sierra Leone Chamber of Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) in collaboration with Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB) trained grantees on good hygiene practices and food safety standards.

In terms of investment analysis, the project invested an approximate amount of US$5 million on all the 43 rice grantees in addition to their own contribution which is a requirement of accessing project grant is estimated around US$4 million, making a total investment of US$9 million. In addition, the project also facilitated these grantees to leverage private capital to expand their out-grower schemes and to further streamline business operations.

IMPACT – What has changed?

With SCADeP funding, several key performance indicators have been monitored over time to determine the progress and financial health of the rice grantees.
Productivity increases due to the introduction of climate smart and yield enhancing technologies and extension advisory services. The chart below shows progression in yield data for rice grantees.


Area under improved planting materials – increase in production volumes has a direct relationship with an increase in the area under cultivation. From 2017 to 2023, rice grantees have cultivated a total area of 28,551 hectares. This means that grantees can now access enough raw materials to keep their processing machines more effective and efficient. In terms of production volumes, the project has contributed about 8% of the national requirements of the country's staple.

Increase in the number of out-growers – the grantees have reported increased capacity to deal with more smallholder farmers. Approximately, 15,000 farmers now have a formal business relationship with Agribusinesses, Producer Organizations and SMEs and have sold up to 80,000 metric tons of paddy to these businesses for value addition and marketing.

In terms of value addition, Mountain Lion Agriculture, one of the biggest agribusinesses supported by the project under the rice value chain have the largest processing capacity in the country and producing high quality branded and packaged rice in sacks of 5kg, 10kg, 25kg and 50kg sold to the public and contributing to the school feeding program currently undertaken by the Government of Sierra Leone. In addition, the company is using rice husks to generate green energy that powers its mechanical parboiler and drying unit. The advantages of using rice husk over conventional source of thermal energy are that rice husk residue is renewable, readily available at a lower cost and can be used successfully by burning in boilers with an efficiency of 99%. Rice residues are also used as green manure to the out-growers to increase production and productivity.

On the enhanced capacity of businesses, grantees have recorded improvements in operations such as data management, compliance with legal obligations such as payment of taxes, adherence to contract terms with off-takers and capacity to access finance from private institutions. Overall, the grantees have reported an increase in revenue and profit from rice sales.

In terms of job creation, the 43 rice grantees have created up to 1,000 jobs of mostly youth and women who contribute significantly to the successes of these businesses. In addition, the smallholder farmers participating in the activities of the businesses have also realized improvement in farm incomes and food and nutrition security.

CONCLUSION – The Big Picture
Despite the challenges confronting Sierra Leone's rice sector, significant opportunities exist to streamline operations and attain rice self-sufficiency. The SCADeP approach, facilitated through the SLADF and ASMG funding windows, has yielded promising results in enhancing the rice value chain. By promoting out-grower schemes and enhancing the capacity of agribusinesses under the SLADF, SCADeP has spurred improvements in productivity, cultivated area, production volumes, marketed volumes, smallholder farmers' incomes, employment opportunities, and business profitability. Similarly, the ASMG funding window, focusing on small-scale post- harvest infrastructure and equipment to producer organizations and SMEs, has amplified produce aggregation and processing capacity. The provision of technical assistance has further ensured the businesses' readiness for investment. Overall, SCADeP contribution to the national requirement of the country's staple is estimated around 8%, underscoring its pivotal role in bolstering food security. Given these positive outcomes, replicating this investment model across more agribusinesses is recommended to further enhance the rice value chain in Sierra Leone.

SCADeP's CONTRIBUTION TO MEETING THE NATIONAL REQUIREMENT OF THE SIERRA LEONE' STAPLE.

INTRODUCTION – The Rice Sector

Rice is Sierra Leone's staple food, constituting approximately 75% of the agricultural contribution to the country's GDP. With an annual per capita rice consumption of 131kg, one of the highest in West Africa, and a population of 8.421 million (2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census), the yearly rice consumption requirement is estimated at 530,000 metric tons. Cultivated in diverse ecologies, including upland, Inland Valley Swamps, Bolilands, Mangrove Swamps, and Riverine Grasslands, Sierra Leone's national rice production in 2022 reached 1,260,000 metric tons of paddy (FAO GIEWS Country Brief, November 2022), equivalent to 400,000 metric tons of milled rice. This results in an estimated annual import requirement of 130,000 metric tons valued at US$80,600,000 (US$620 per metric ton as of end September 2023). Some other official statistics have put rice imports at a value of US$$100 million. Despite having 5.4 million hectares of arable land, with over 1 million hectares suitable for rice cultivation, the sector faces challenges such as diseases, pests, low soil fertility, the use of low-yielding local varieties, poor extension services, and various socio-economic factors limiting farmers' productivity.

ISSUE – Challenges and Previous Efforts

Sierra Leone's rice production is predominantly in the hands of smallholder farmers who struggle to produce enough for home consumption, let alone for commercial purposes. In 2004/2005 cropping season, 56 percent of the households cultivated less than 1 ha of farmland while only 44 percent cultivated 1 ha and more (NRDS – December 2022). The smallholder farmers, generally resource poor, utilize basic tools such as hoes, axes and cutlasses as major farm implement for rice production while labour is mainly provided by family members, thereby severely limiting their scale of production. Challenges include the widespread use of unimproved seed varieties, limited fertilizer use, low farmer-extension ratios, and suboptimal agronomic and cultural practices, resulting in low rice yields ranging from 1.0 mt/ha to 2.6 mt/ha. Despite ambitious rice production programs in collaboration with development agencies over the years, Sierra Leone remains a net rice importer. Quality issues persist in processing and marketing, affecting customer satisfaction regarding different rice grades and palatability.

ACTION – The Role of SCADeP

Component A of the SCADeP aims to strengthen the linkages between producers and agribusinesses by promoting two (2) funding models - the out-grower and aggregation schemes - making competitive finance available to both producers and agribusinesses involved in key agricultural value chains. A total of forty-three (43) rice businesses have benefitted from project support of which 6 are SLADF beneficiaries and 37 are ASMG groups. The Sierra Leone Agribusiness Development Fund (SLADF) offers competitive value chain financing, co-funded on a 50-50 basis with agribusiness contributions, to provide productivity-enhancing services and market access to smallholder farmers. On the other hand, the Agribusiness Services Matching Grant (ASMG) scheme provides small scale post-harvest infrastructure, equipment and value chain development opportunities to smallholder farmers organized into producer organizations and SMEs and operating as aggregators.

Under the SLADF out-grower model, the project built the capacity of 6 agribusinesses to provide essential resources or inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and extension advisory services to smallholder farmers. This helps smallholders achieve high productivity and product quality, with the agribusinesses also offering a market for the out-growers' produce. The ASMG funding, comprising 37 rice grantees, received infrastructure, with aggregation centers having a holding capacity of 1,480 metric tons at a time. Additionally, the rice milling machines, each with an installed capacity of 2 metric tons per hour supplied to rice value chain grantees have significantly increased the rice processing capacity (value addition) within these communities, hence providing opportunities for increased market linkages. The project's technical assistance to all the grantees covered record keeping, data for decision making, access to finance, growth strategies and business compliance and the rule of law, propelling SCADeP's achievement in enhanced productivity, innovation, and market reach.

Through the capacity building support to state and non-state actors by the project, agribusinesses, producer organizations, and SMEs have benefited from the provision of services relevant to smallholder commercialization. For example, the Sierra Leone Chamber of Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) in collaboration with Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB) trained grantees on good hygiene practices and food safety standards.

In terms of investment analysis, the project invested an approximate amount of US$5 million on all the 43 rice grantees in addition to their own contribution which is a requirement of accessing project grant is estimated around US$4 million, making a total investment of US$9 million. In addition, the project also facilitated these grantees to leverage private capital to expand their out-grower schemes and to further streamline business operations.
IMPACT – What has changed?

With SCADeP funding, several key performance indicators have been monitored over time to determine the progress and financial health of the rice grantees.
Productivity increases due to the introduction of climate smart and yield enhancing technologies and extension advisory services. The chart below shows progression in yield data for rice grantees.


Area under improved planting materials – increase in production volumes has a direct relationship with an increase in the area under cultivation. From 2017 to 2023, rice grantees have cultivated a total area of 28,551 hectares. This means that grantees can now access enough raw materials to keep their processing machines more effective and efficient. In terms of production volumes, the project has contributed about 8% of the national requirements of the country's staple.
Increase in the number of out-growers – the grantees have reported increased capacity to deal with more smallholder farmers. Approximately, 15,000 farmers now have a formal business relationship with Agribusinesses, Producer Organizations and SMEs and have sold up to 80,000 metric tons of paddy to these businesses for value addition and marketing.
In terms of value addition, Mountain Lion Agriculture, one of the biggest agribusinesses supported by the project under the rice value chain have the largest processing capacity in the country and producing high quality branded and packaged rice in sacks of 5kg, 10kg, 25kg and 50kg sold to the public and contributing to the school feeding program currently undertaken by the Government of Sierra Leone. In addition, the company is using rice husks to generate green energy that powers its mechanical parboiler and drying unit. The advantages of using rice husk over conventional source of thermal energy are that rice husk residue is renewable, readily available at a lower cost and can be used successfully by burning in boilers with an efficiency of 99%. Rice residues are also used as green manure to the out-growers to increase production and productivity.

On the enhanced capacity of businesses, grantees have recorded improvements in operations such as data management, compliance with legal obligations such as payment of taxes, adherence to contract terms with off-takers and capacity to access finance from private institutions. Overall, the grantees have reported an increase in revenue and profit from rice sales.
In terms of job creation, the 43 rice grantees have created up to 1,000 jobs of mostly youth and women who contribute significantly to the successes of these businesses. In addition, the smallholder farmers participating in the activities of the businesses have also realized improvement in farm incomes and food and nutrition security.

CONCLUSION – The Big Picture

Despite the challenges confronting Sierra Leone's rice sector, significant opportunities exist to streamline operations and attain rice self-sufficiency. The SCADeP approach, facilitated through the SLADF and ASMG funding windows, has yielded promising results in enhancing the rice value chain. By promoting out-grower schemes and enhancing the capacity of agribusinesses under the SLADF, SCADeP has spurred improvements in productivity, cultivated area, production volumes, marketed volumes, smallholder farmers' incomes, employment opportunities, and business profitability. Similarly, the ASMG funding window, focusing on small-scale post- harvest infrastructure and equipment to producer organizations and SMEs, has amplified produce aggregation and processing capacity. The provision of technical assistance has further ensured the businesses' readiness for investment. Overall, SCADeP contribution to the national requirement of the country's staple is estimated around 8%, underscoring its pivotal role in bolstering food security. Given these positive outcomes, replicating this investment model across more agribusinesses is recommended to further enhance the rice value chain in Sierra Leone.

SCADeP's CONTRIBUTION TO MEETING THE NATIONAL REQUIREMENT OF THE SIERRA LEONE' STAPLE.

INTRODUCTION – The Rice Sector

Rice is Sierra Leone's staple food, constituting approximately 75% of the agricultural contribution to the country's GDP. With an annual per capita rice consumption of 131kg, one of the highest in West Africa, and a population of 8.421 million (2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census), the yearly rice consumption requirement is estimated at 530,000 metric tons. Cultivated in diverse ecologies, including upland, Inland Valley Swamps, Bolilands, Mangrove Swamps, and Riverine Grasslands, Sierra Leone's national rice production in 2022 reached 1,260,000 metric tons of paddy (FAO GIEWS Country Brief, November 2022), equivalent to 400,000 metric tons of milled rice. This results in an estimated annual import requirement of 130,000 metric tons valued at US$80,600,000 (US$620 per metric ton as of end September 2023). Some other official statistics have put rice imports at a value of US$$100 million. Despite having 5.4 million hectares of arable land, with over 1 million hectares suitable for rice cultivation, the sector faces challenges such as diseases, pests, low soil fertility, the use of low-yielding local varieties, poor extension services, and various socio-economic factors limiting farmers' productivity.

ISSUE – Challenges and Previous Efforts

Sierra Leone's rice production is predominantly in the hands of smallholder farmers who struggle to produce enough for home consumption, let alone for commercial purposes. In 2004/2005 cropping season, 56 percent of the households cultivated less than 1 ha of farmland while only 44 percent cultivated 1 ha and more (NRDS – December 2022). The smallholder farmers, generally resource poor, utilize basic tools such as hoes, axes and cutlasses as major farm implement for rice production while labour is mainly provided by family members, thereby severely limiting their scale of production. Challenges include the widespread use of unimproved seed varieties, limited fertilizer use, low farmer-extension ratios, and suboptimal agronomic and cultural practices, resulting in low rice yields ranging from 1.0 mt/ha to 2.6 mt/ha. Despite ambitious rice production programs in collaboration with development agencies over the years, Sierra Leone remains a net rice importer. Quality issues persist in processing and marketing, affecting customer satisfaction regarding different rice grades and palatability.

ACTION – The Role of SCADeP
Component A of the SCADeP aims to strengthen the linkages between producers and agribusinesses by promoting two (2) funding models - the out-grower and aggregation schemes - making competitive finance available to both producers and agribusinesses involved in key agricultural value chains. A total of forty-three (43) rice businesses have benefitted from project support of which 6 are SLADF beneficiaries and 37 are ASMG groups. The Sierra Leone Agribusiness Development Fund (SLADF) offers competitive value chain financing, co-funded on a 50-50 basis with agribusiness contributions, to provide productivity-enhancing services and market access to smallholder farmers. On the other hand, the Agribusiness Services Matching Grant (ASMG) scheme provides small scale post-harvest infrastructure, equipment and value chain development opportunities to smallholder farmers organized into producer organizations and SMEs and operating as aggregators.

Under the SLADF out-grower model, the project built the capacity of 6 agribusinesses to provide essential resources or inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and extension advisory services to smallholder farmers. This helps smallholders achieve high productivity and product quality, with the agribusinesses also offering a market for the out-growers' produce. The ASMG funding, comprising 37 rice grantees, received infrastructure, with aggregation centers having a holding capacity of 1,480 metric tons at a time. Additionally, the rice milling machines, each with an installed capacity of 2 metric tons per hour supplied to rice value chain grantees have significantly increased the rice processing capacity (value addition) within these communities, hence providing opportunities for increased market linkages. The project's technical assistance to all the grantees covered record keeping, data for decision making, access to finance, growth strategies and business compliance and the rule of law, propelling SCADeP's achievement in enhanced productivity, innovation, and market reach.

Through the capacity building support to state and non-state actors by the project, agribusinesses, producer organizations, and SMEs have benefited from the provision of services relevant to smallholder commercialization. For example, the Sierra Leone Chamber of Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) in collaboration with Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB) trained grantees on good hygiene practices and food safety standards.
In terms of investment analysis, the project invested an approximate amount of US$5 million on all the 43 rice grantees in addition to their own contribution which is a requirement of accessing project grant is estimated around US$4 million, making a total investment of US$9 million. In addition, the project also facilitated these grantees to leverage private capital to expand their out-grower schemes and to further streamline business operations.

IMPACT – What has changed?

With SCADeP funding, several key performance indicators have been monitored over time to determine the progress and financial health of the rice grantees.
Productivity increases due to the introduction of climate smart and yield enhancing technologies and extension advisory services. The chart below shows progression in yield data for rice grantees.


Area under improved planting materials – increase in production volumes has a direct relationship with an increase in the area under cultivation. From 2017 to 2023, rice grantees have cultivated a total area of 28,551 hectares. This means that grantees can now access enough raw materials to keep their processing machines more effective and efficient. In terms of production volumes, the project has contributed about 8% of the national requirements of the country's staple.

Increase in the number of out-growers – the grantees have reported increased capacity to deal with more smallholder farmers. Approximately, 15,000 farmers now have a formal business relationship with Agribusinesses, Producer Organizations and SMEs and have sold up to 80,000 metric tons of paddy to these businesses for value addition and marketing.

In terms of value addition, Mountain Lion Agriculture, one of the biggest agribusinesses supported by the project under the rice value chain have the largest processing capacity in the country and producing high quality branded and packaged rice in sacks of 5kg, 10kg, 25kg and 50kg sold to the public and contributing to the school feeding program currently undertaken by the Government of Sierra Leone. In addition, the company is using rice husks to generate green energy that powers its mechanical parboiler and drying unit. The advantages of using rice husk over conventional source of thermal energy are that rice husk residue is renewable, readily available at a lower cost and can be used successfully by burning in boilers with an efficiency of 99%. Rice residues are also used as green manure to the out-growers to increase production and productivity.

On the enhanced capacity of businesses, grantees have recorded improvements in operations such as data management, compliance with legal obligations such as payment of taxes, adherence to contract terms with off-takers and capacity to access finance from private institutions. Overall, the grantees have reported an increase in revenue and profit from rice sales.
In terms of job creation, the 43 rice grantees have created up to 1,000 jobs of mostly youth and women who contribute significantly to the successes of these businesses. In addition, the smallholder farmers participating in the activities of the businesses have also realized improvement in farm incomes and food and nutrition
security.

CONCLUSION – The Big Picture

Despite the challenges confronting Sierra Leone's rice sector, significant opportunities exist to streamline operations and attain rice self-sufficiency. The SCADeP approach, facilitated through the SLADF and ASMG funding windows, has yielded promising results in enhancing the rice value chain. By promoting out-grower schemes and enhancing the capacity of agribusinesses under the SLADF, SCADeP has spurred improvements in productivity, cultivated area, production volumes, marketed volumes, smallholder farmers' incomes, employment opportunities, and business profitability. Similarly, the ASMG funding window, focusing on small-scale post- harvest infrastructure and equipment to producer organizations and SMEs, has amplified produce aggregation and processing capacity. The provision of technical assistance has further ensured the businesses' readiness for investment. Overall, SCADeP contribution to the national requirement of the country's staple is estimated around 8%, underscoring its pivotal role in bolstering food security. Given these positive outcomes, replicating this investment model across more agribusinesses is recommended to further enhance the rice value chain in Sierra Leone.