Dynamic Agroforestry in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is bursting with natural beauty and agricultural potential. Over 60% of the population relies on farming to make a living, and the country has plenty of fertile land and rainfall to support it. But despite these strengths, rural communities face real challenges. Many smallholder farmers lack access to training, tools, and financial support. Productivity is low, deforestation is on the rise, and climate change is making things even harder. Cocoa — one of Sierra Leone’s most important export crops — is feeling the pressure.
Regenerative cocoa meets inclusive learning
That’s where our new project comes in. From October 2025 to September 2029, SkillEd is part of a multi-stakeholder initiative called Dynamic Agroforestry for Resilience and Prosperity. The project takes place in five districts: Kono, Kenema, Kailahun, Bo, and Tonkolili. We’re teaming up with fantastic partners: Organic Development Services B.V., Tradin Sierra Leone Ltd., Tradin Organic Agriculture B.V., Ecotop Suisse GmbH, and ChildFund Sierra Leone.
The goal? To scale up Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF) — a smart, regenerative way of farming that mixes cocoa with other crops to boost biodiversity, improve soil health, and increase farmers’ incomes. SkillEd will lead the development of a blended learning platform that helps farmers, youth work gangs, and field officers learn how to put DAF into practice. Think Farmer Field Schools, demo plots, hands-on training, and easy-to-use tools for pruning, planting, and more.
But it’s not just about farming techniques. This project is also about creating opportunities. We’ll train and equip youth work gangs to offer agroforestry services, and set up women-led Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to support financial inclusion and resilience. With digital tracking tools, we’ll monitor progress, learn as we go, and make sure the impact is real and lasting.