The World Food Program (WFP) has provided 200 cattle herders in the Falaba District of Sierra Leone with grass seeds and fruit tree seedlings to establish fenced syntrophic farms. This initiative is aimed at promoting the cultivation of nutritious grass, ensuring confined grazing, and mitigating conflict between cattle herders and crop farmers in the district.

Syntrophic farms are a type of farming that mimics the diversity of natural ecosystems. They combine different types of plants and animals to create a mutually beneficial system. In the case of the syntrophic farms in Falaba, the grass will provide food for the cattle, while the fruit trees will provide shade and protection from the sun. The fences will help to keep the cattle contained and prevent them from damaging neighboring crops.

The WFP is also working to improve the nutritional status of children in Sierra Leone by empowering mother support groups to implement community-based nutrition programs. These programs provide mothers with the knowledge and resources they need to feed their children nutritious foods and prevent stunting.

The WFP’s work in Falaba is helping to improve the livelihoods of cattle herders and crop farmers, and to ensure that children have access to the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.