AYV News, May 19, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), the Embassy of Japan and the World Food Programme(WFP) are set to launch a solar-powered cold storage facility, the first of its kind in Sierra Leone which is set to revolutionize post-harvest storage for women vegetable farmers in the country, reducing spoilage and unlocking new market opportunities.
The innovative facility, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by WFP in partnership with MAFS, was officially launched today as part of the closing ceremony for the Japan International Organisation (IO) Grant project.
For years, smallholder women farmers in Koinadugu and indeed the country have struggled with massive post-harvest losses due to a lack of proper storage. Vegetables often spoil before reaching markets, cutting into their already thin profits. The new solar-powered cold storage unit, piloted with the Koinadugu Women Vegetable Farmers’ Cooperative, will help preserve perishable produce, allowing farmers to store their goods longer and sell at better prices.
“Before this, we lost almost half of our vegetables to heat, transport and poor storage,” said Haja Sondu Marah, a member of the cooperative. “Now, we can keep our vegetables fresh for days, even weeks, and sell them when demand is high. This changes everything for us.”
The cold storage facility is expected to reduce post-harvest losses by up to 50 percent, ensuring that more produce reaches the market. It will also increase earnings for women farmers by allowing them to sell at peak prices rather than rushing to offload produce before it spoils. Additionally, the facility will expand market access, enabling the cooperative to supply fresh produce to supermarkets, schools, and hospitals.
At the launch event, WFP Country Director Yvonne Forsénhighlighted the project’s focus on empowering women farmers:
“They do not ask for handouts. They ask for opportunities—for tools, training, and access to markets. This cold storage facility is more than technology; it’s a step toward economic justice for women who feed their families and communities.”
H.E. Ambassador Yoshimoto Hiroshi of Japan reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to sustainable development in Sierra Leone:
“This solar-powered storage facility is a game-changer. Smallholder farmers, especially women, are the backbone of Sierra Leone’s food system. Japan is proud to support innovations that bring real hope and transformation.”
Hon. Dr. Theresa Tenneh-Dick, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, praised the initiative, calling for more investments in agricultural technology:
“This project goes beyond short-term aid—it builds long-term resilience. We must continue to support such innovations to strengthen food security and rural economies.”
The Japan IO Grant project has already benefited 8,100 smallholder households across six districts (Kambia, Kenema, Koinadugu, Moyamba, Pujehun, and Tonkolili) through rice milling machines, training, and fertilizer distribution. The solar cold storage stands out as another milestone in reducing food waste and empowering women farmers.
As Sierra Leone pushes toward its Feed Salone goals, this innovation proves that with the right technology and partnerships, rural communities can thrive—one harvest at a time.
