April 9, 2025 – Action for Community Resilience Group
The Action for Community Resilience Group (ACRG), in collaboration with Smart Youth Organisation, is making steady progress in strengthening the cassava value chain in Sierra Leone. The group’s focus is on youth empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and climate-smart agriculture.
Progress So Far: Building on a Strong Base
Operating at a mid-level of growth, we’ve established a solid foundation in cassava farming across communities in Bo District and surrounding areas. Together, we have:
• Mobilized and trained 55 youth and women in improved cassava cultivation
• Conducted community outreach and awareness on the economic potential of cassava
• Engaged 8 farmer groups and stakeholders to identify gaps in post-harvest handling and processing
• Laid the groundwork for future market linkages and value addition
Our cassava carries stories of youth, sweat, and soil from root to roast.
Locally grown. Locally crafted. Proudly chewed.”
Looking Ahead: Expanding Our Partnership and Impact
As we build on this momentum, our next phase focuses on expansion and innovation. We aim to:
• Introduce efficient, climate-smart, and eco-friendly cassava processing techniques that reduce waste and energy use
• Engage and train more youth across other districts to become active players in the value chain — from farming to processing and marketing
• Pilot local processing hubs that can add value through gari, starch, flour, and animal feed production
• Foster community ownership while building partnerships with technical institutions, the private sector, and development agencies
Climate Action at the Core
In every step, we are prioritizing climate resilience and environmental sustainability. Our strategy includes:
• Promoting drought-resistant cassava varieties
• Practicing agroecology and regenerative land use
• Encouraging eco-friendly farming techniques to preserve biodiversity and reduce environmental degradation
Our Shared Vision
Our goal is clear: to transform cassava from a subsistence crop into a driver of economic resilience, especially for rural youth and women. Through this partnership, we are creating pathways for decent jobs, climate action, and sustainable agriculture.
This is just the beginning — and we’re calling on more partners, supporters, and young changemakers to join us in this transformative journey.
CassavaforChange | #YouthInAgriculture | #ClimateSmartFarming | #ACRG #SmartYouthOrganisation #EcoFriendlyFarming #FoodSystemsTransformation
