Empowering Women in Agribusiness

Meet the women leading our cooperative farming initiatives in Port Loko.

In the heart of Port Loko District, a quiet revolution is taking place. Women farmers, traditionally relegated to subsistence farming, are now leading some of our most successful cooperative initiatives.

Meet Mariama Conteh, chairperson of the Makaiba Women's Cooperative. Under her leadership, 50 women farmers have transformed 100 acres of underutilized land into a thriving rice and vegetable production hub. The cooperative has increased household incomes by an average of 45% in just two years.

'Before joining the cooperative, I struggled to feed my family,' Mariama shares. 'Now, I not only provide for my children's education but also invest in expanding our farm. We're proving that women can be agricultural entrepreneurs.'

Our commitment to women's empowerment goes beyond rhetoric. We maintain a 50% quota for women across all roles – from field workers to management positions. We provide gender-sensitive training programs that address the unique challenges women face in agriculture, including access to land, credit, and markets.

The impact extends beyond economics. Women in our cooperatives report increased decision-making power within their households and communities. They're sending more daughters to school, accessing better healthcare, and building assets for long-term security.

This is just the beginning. We're expanding our women's cooperative network across three districts, aiming to engage 1,500 women farmers by 2025.