Growing more than a farm: Isseli’s hopes for his children

Growing more than a farm: Isseli’s hopes for his children

On his 25 acres in Konta village, Sierra Leone, Isseli Karonia has spent years growing cocoa, cashew nuts and oil palm. Cocoa remains his main source of income, but he is looking for ways to make his farm work harder for his family of eleven.

Isseli, 48, has worked with Tradin Organic since 2016 and established his DAF plot in 2025. His wife followed this year, setting up her own plot right beside his.

“Having different crops means more harvests and income at different times of the year,” Isseli explains. “That can make a real difference for our family.”

Isseli never had the opportunity to attend school, so written instructions are not the way he learns best. The DAF app offers another route: short audio and video clips, supported by pictures, help him understand the principles behind the farming practices and remember what he has learned.

“Seeing and hearing how things work helps me understand,” he says.

Once his tablet arrives, Isseli plans to spend two evenings a week learning with his farmer group. He also wants to take the app into the field, using it as a guide while putting new practices into action.

His hopes for the future are rooted in his nine children. All of them who are old enough are now attending the local school, and Isseli hopes that a more productive farm and a steadier income will allow them to continue their education. He wants them to have opportunities beyond farming, too: perhaps some will train for professions or find work in other fields, while one or two may eventually take over the farm. For him, improving the farm is not just about supporting his family today, but also about giving his children more choices for tomorrow.