Develop Salone (DESAL), in collaboration Solidaridad West Africa, is supporting efforts to improve food and nutrition security among smallholder cashew farmers through the European Union-funded Developing an Inclusive and Sustainable Cashew Value Chain (DISCA-VC) Programme.
In partnership with the Nutrition Unit of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, DESAL and Solidaridad have rolled out a week-long training on Food and Nutrition Security for farmers across Port Loko, Kambia, Tonkolili, and Bombali Districts.
The training is designed to empower farming households to prepare nutritious meals using locally available recipes and food crops cultivated through intercropping activities promoted by the project.
According to Alusine Tarawally, Senior Programme Officer at Solidaridad West Africa, the initiative is aimed at enhancing farmers’ knowledge on healthy diets, proper food preparation methods, and the importance of nutrition in promoting household wellbeing and productivity.
As a core implementing partner, Develop Salone (DESAL) is playing a critical role in mobilizing farming communities, facilitating field-level engagements, and ensuring that nutrition messages translate into practical household practices.
The DISCA-VC Project is a four-year programme (2022–2026) implemented by Solidaridad West Africa in partnership with (DESAL)and Nianda Agriculture and Trading Company, with funding from the European Union Jobs and Growth Programme.
The project seeks to build a sustainable and inclusive cashew value chain that creates decent jobs, increases rural incomes, and improves food security for farming communities — especially women and young people — while protecting natural resources and biodiversity.
Following the classroom sessions, DESAL field staff will lead participants through practical cooking demonstrations on preparing nutritious meals using locally grown crops and recipes.
Develop Salone remains committed to delivering lasting change by improving livelihoods, nutrition, and resilience of rural communities in Sierra Leone.
