By Juliana E. P. Kabba
Members of the Sierra Leone Cocoa, Coffee, and Cashew (SLCCC) sector have taken proactive steps to transform the industry through fruitful dialogue aimed at making it more viable for reaching customers both at home and abroad.
An ongoing stakeholders meeting is focused on improving the value chains of cocoa, cashew, and coffee. This meeting has attracted key stakeholders from both government and private sectors, discussing policies, challenges, and opportunities for farmers, exporters, and MDAs involved in the production and trade of Sierra Leone’s cocoa, coffee, and cashew.
The primary goal of this meeting is to enhance farmers’ livelihoods and boost Sierra Leone’s foreign exchange, investment, and income through trade.
Supported by Solidaridad West Africa and coordinated by the Produce Monitoring Board Sierra Leone (PMB), the SLCCC meeting is funded by the European Union in Sierra Leone under its Jobs and Growth Programme: Developing an Inclusive Cashew Agroforestry Sustainable Value Chain (DISCA-VC).
The SLCCC platform aims to develop a vibrant, competitive, and profitable cocoa, coffee, and cashew economy. This will be achieved by supporting farmers to increase their income, improve their livelihoods, and create more jobs in Sierra Leone.