A New Way to Learn, A New Way to Farm

A New Way to Learn, A New Way to Farm

At 45, Allieu Davida is a lead farmer in Tokpoi, in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province. Allieu farms 20 acres of land, growing cocoa, coffee and oil palm. Cocoa is his most important crop, covering half of his farm.

Allieu’s education has taken an unusual path. As a child, he attended an informal Muslim school before being sent to Saudi Arabia, where he learned to read and write Arabic. After returning to Sierra Leone, he never attended formal school in his home country. He speaks both Mende, a major indigenous language of Sierra Leone, and Krio, a widely spoken English-based creole that serves as a common language across the country. Although Krio shares much of its vocabulary with English, it is a distinct language. English is the country’s official language and the main language of formal education, government and administration. Allieu, however, cannot read or write in English.

But recently, he found another way to access new knowledge.
Allieu joined the DAF project in 2025, and his DAF plot was established in June that year. During a recent visit, the DAF team demonstrated the blended training package to him on a tablet, combining audio in Krio with images and videos.
“I like the blended training,” Allieu says. “It makes it easier for me to learn.”

The digital training complements the practical DAF training he receives in the field. By combining the two, Allieu can learn about farming practices through the training package and connect that knowledge with what he is doing on his farm.

“I am looking forward to learning more,” he says.

For Allieu, who is a father of four, learning has a clear purpose: he wants to improve life for his family.
“I am positive about the future of my farm, now that I can learn more about growing crops. I hope that production increases and that life will become a bit easier. I want to give my kids a better education and leave them a healthy and profitable farm.”