The Women’s Advocacy and Agriculture Development Organization (WAADO), which was founded in 2007 in Waterloo in the Western Rural Area of Sierra Leone, works to empower women through farming and agribusiness. With access to eighteen hectares of farmland, the organization trains women in planting techniques, soil management, post-harvest practices and small-scale agribusiness. The aim is to transform subsistence farming into a path towards self-reliance and income generation. However, progress has been limited because of a shortage of equipment, inputs and financial support.
Imagine what these farmers could do if they were mechanized!
Doris Fatima Webber, the Founder and Executive Director of WAADO, explains that women in the organization are willing and ready to farm but often lack the basic resources that can increase productivity and still face many challenges including limited access to fertilizer, mechanized tools, irrigation facilities and storage structures. She added that knowledge in vegetable cultivation and pest control is another urgent need if the women are to diversify their crops and increase their contribution to the country’s food security. Our dream matches theirs.
WAADO plays a crucial role in training and advocacy within the Western Area Rural District. Doris Fatima Webber believes that with further assistance the eighteen hectares of farmland could be developed into a model farm that produces food, creates jobs and trains women farmers from other communities. Partnerships can help rural women farmers overcome barriers and strengthen food security in Sierra Leone. With targeted assistance, local organizations like WAADO can build resilience and deliver results that benefit both women and the wider community.