African farmer at work
The United States Agency for International Development is at present funding a very unique project in Africa known as Unleashing the Power of Cassava (UPoCA).
In a statement by the Program Manager, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA-UPoCA) Braima James he said that cassava value addition in Africa has offered women farmers another income stream, improving livelihoods and food security, and making them smile.
He noted that the project which is implemented in seven African countries—Nigeria, DR Congo, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone by IITA has benefited thousands of farmers in these countries.
“Today, the Tongea Women farmers in Sandeyalu community are filled with joy. Located 486 km from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Sandeyalu was once overrun by rebels in 1991,” he stated.
Nearly 4,000 People Took Refuge in Camps
According to James, the entire population of nearly 4,000 people took refuge in camps in Kenema where they lived for over 10 years as internally displaced persons (IDPs) until the war was declared over in 2002.
He said that interactions in the camp brought the Sandeyalu people together to form a formidable association called 'Tongea women's development association' comprising of 54 women and four men. It was named after one of the three mountain peaks overlooking their home township called Tongea.
He stated: “The group initially raised funds through “coping mechanisms,” such as cutting and selling firewood and soap making as IDPs in Kenema. With the advent of the IITA-UPoCA project and subsequent inauguration of a micro-processing center (MPC), cassava is now an added financial window of opportunity to farmers. Incomes from USAID projects such as UPoCA have helped the people of Sandeyalu in rebuilding their community.”
IITA-UPoCA Intervention and the Micro-processing Center
A member of the Tongea women's development association, Marie Borbor, described the IITA-UPoCA intervention and the micro-processing center as a “living bank” in Sandeyalu community.
She stated: "Now we can fulfill our financial obligations to educate our children and improve our livelihoods. We will do all within our power to sustain the MPC as a viable asset. Long live the American people.”
Also speaking on the project, the Secretary General of the group, Mariama Koi-Braima, stated: "We have come a long way to where we are today. The journey has not been easy most times but we have determined to stay together. Handing over this MPC to our group is going to reinforce cohesion among our members as it has demonstrated that worthy ambitions can be achieved through unity for a common good."
US Ambassador to Sierra Leone Speaks on the Project
Adding his own voice to the project, the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Michael S. Owen, described the transformation at Sandeyalu and the resilience of the Tongea Women as “wonderful.”
"We are very happy to partner with you in all you have accomplished in these years. We are very happy to be your partner. Not too many years ago, this town was in ruins but, now, look at what you have accomplished. We are very proud to work with you," Owen said while handing over the keys of the IITA-UPoCA-built cassava micro-processing center to the Tongea women farmers.
It is to be noted that since 2009, IITA-UPoCA scientists have backstopped the Tongea women farmers, opening up more than five hectares of their land for cassava cultivation and distributing over 2,500 bundles of improved cassava varieties to more than 500 cassava farmers.
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