Increasing productivity, compliance, and competitive trade in Sierra Leone

About the project

Country: Sierra Leone

Period: July – December 2019

Project partner: United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Objective: The project aimed to increase awareness of GLOBALG.A.P. and its solutions in the public and private sector of Sierra Leone.

Approach: The GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat held a scoping mission with UNIDO and a cassava product expert to identify the challenges and needs of local actors in the cassava value chain as well as capacities for the adoption of the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard.

SDGs addressed: #8 Decent work and economic growth

Outcome: The mission found indications amongst producers of a strong lack of on-farm awareness of good agricultural practices and certification as prerequisites for local and export trade in cassava and cassava products. Of the 11 farmers visited, only three practiced improved planting techniques, and none practiced basic on-farm hygiene and sanitation. The hygiene situation at processing factories was similar. In general, there was greatly limited awareness of standards for cassava products. No GLOBALG.A.P. consulting services or working groups were available in the country, resulting in limited information flows and accessibility. The findings of this mission were summarized in a report together with concrete recommendations for further activities and interventions to facilitate implementation of and compliance to GLOBALG.A.P. standards.