The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) have concluded field visits to Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs), project sites and agricultural enterprises as part of the ongoing Joint Supervision Mission covering the Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme (RFCIP) and the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP).
The field visits provided an opportunity to assess implementation progress, engage with RFIs, their customers and LLDP beneficiaries and gain first-hand insights into the impact of both projects on rural communities, agricultural production and productivity and financial inclusion.
The field engagements covered Sowa Financial Services Association (FSA), Rural Farmers Radio, Yoni Community Bank in Mile 91, Leecon Poultry, the LLDP Makeni Regional Office, Yoni Community Bank’s newly constructed and furnished Magburaka Branch, Konike Barina FSA, and Tawaleh Agro Dealer and rice farmers at their farm sites.
Preliminary findings from engagements with the RFIs indicate their potential to operate as profitable and sustainable providers of financial services when supported by sound governance, effective management and a reliable customer base.
The performance and financial positions of Yoni Community Bank and Konike Barina FSA offer encouraging evidence of the viability of community-owned financial institutions in expanding access to financial services across rural communities.
The mission also identified some of the key challenges farmers encounter, including limited access to essential agricultural machinery and equipment, such as combine harvesters, tractors and rice milling machines.
Shareholders of the RFIs further emphasized the need to expand access to affordable and appropriate agricultural financing through Community Banks (CBs) and Financial Services Associations (FSAs) to support farmers and strengthen agricultural production.
The Joint Supervision Mission continues until 19 November 2026, providing an important platform for IFAD and the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, to strengthen rural financial inclusion, support agricultural development and advance the Feed Salone Programme.
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