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A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-supported initiative in Kenema is transforming organic waste into an engine for local development by producing more than 50 tons of compost every week for farmers in eastern Sierra Leone.
The Green Compost in Agriculture for Development (GCAD) project, implemented in partnership with the Society for Community-Led Impact Development (SCLID) and backed by UNDP’s Growth Accelerator Programme, is supplying affordable soil inputs, creating green jobs, and promoting circular-economy practices in the region.
The initiative began as a local response to rising organic waste and limited access to soil amendments. With technical and financial support from UNDP, the project has expanded rapidly and now converts household and market waste into nutrient-rich compost for smallholder farmers and peri-urban agriculture.
Project operators say GCAD has created employment opportunities across the compost value chain, including waste collection, processing, packaging, and distribution. These jobs are providing income for local residents, particularly young people and women involved in production and sales.
By offering lower-cost compost, the initiative is also helping farmers reduce dependence on imported chemical fertilizers and lowering production costs for small-scale agriculture.
Environmental experts note that composting diverts waste from open dumping and uncontrolled decomposition, helping to cut methane emissions and reduce pollution. The compost also improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, making crops more resilient to drought and erratic rainfall.
UNDP stated that support through its Growth Accelerator Programme has helped strengthen GCAD’s business operations through technical assistance, market access support, and quality control improvements.
Stakeholders say the project demonstrates how waste management can be turned into economic opportunity while improving food security and environmental sustainability.
They added that expanding similar models across Sierra Leone could boost green employment, improve agricultural productivity, and support more sustainable municipal waste management systems.
