DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRIBUSINESS SERVICES

The Department of Food and Agribusiness at Impact Matters is committed to strengthening agricultural value chains, improving food security, and supporting agribusiness growth. Our services focus on linking smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to markets, finance, and technical support, ensuring sustainable agricultural development and increased economic opportunities.

1. OUTGROWER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (IN RICE, CASSAVA & POULTRY VALUE CHAINS)

Empowering Smallholder Farmers through Structured Market Linkages

Our Outgrower Development Services focus on enhancing smallholder farmers’ productivity, profitability, and access to markets by integrating them into commercial rice, cassava, and poultry value chains. We work with farmers, agribusiness firms, processors, and financial institutions to create inclusive and sustainable agricultural models.

Key Service Areas:

• Farmer Mobilization & Cooperative Development

We identify, train, and organize smallholder farmers into cooperatives and producer groups to enhance collective production, aggregation, and bargaining power.

• Input Supply & Technical Support

Through strategic partnerships, we facilitate:

  • Access to certified seeds, high-yield cassava varieties, and improved poultry breeds.
  • Availability of fertilizers, pesticides, and veterinary services.
  • Training in climate-smart farming techniques and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).

• Access to Finance & Credit Facilitation

We assist farmers in securing microloans and grants to invest in farm expansion, mechanization, and productivity-enhancing technologies.

• Contract Farming & Off-Taker Linkages

We facilitate contract farming arrangements, connecting outgrowers with processors, wholesalers, supermarkets, and exporters through guaranteed off-take agreements.

• Post-Harvest Management & Processing Support

To minimize losses and maximize value, we offer:

  • Training in post-harvest handling and storage techniques.
  • Support in processing and value addition for rice, cassava products (e.g., gari, flour, starch), and poultry products.

• Market Access & Trade Facilitation

We help farmers access domestic, regional, and international markets through:

  • Market intelligence and price forecasting.
  • Branding, packaging, and certification assistance.
  • Participation in agribusiness trade fairs and networking events.

Through our Outgrower Development Services, we empower farmers to transition from subsistence to commercial farming, ensuring sustainable incomes, food security, and sectoral growth.

2. MICRO-CREDIT FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (MiCAD)

Financing the Future of Agriculture

Access to finance is one of the biggest constraints for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. MiCAD (Microcredit for Agricultural Development) is a tailored financing initiative designed to provide affordable and flexible micro-loans to support agricultural production, processing, and agribusiness expansion.

Key Features of MiCAD:

• Smallholder Farmer Loans

  • Low-interest microloans for input purchase, mechanization, and expansion.
  • Flexible repayment structures aligned with harvest cycles.
  • Financial literacy training for proper loan management.

• Agribusiness Growth Financing

  • Capital support for agribusiness startups, processors, and traders.
  • Working capital financing for farm-based enterprises and cooperatives.

• Equipment and Mechanization Loans

  • Financing for purchasing tractors, irrigation systems, processing machinery, and poultry feed mills.
  • Leasing options for farmers to access modern farming tools without high upfront costs.

• Women and Youth Agripreneurship Loans

  • Special financing for women and young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.
  • Training in agribusiness management and financial sustainability.

• Loan Guarantee & Risk-Sharing Models

  • Partnerships with microfinance institutions, commercial banks, and development agencies to de-risk agricultural lending.
  • Support for loan insurance and climate-risk mitigation financing.

Through MiCAD, we empower farmers and agribusinesses with the financial resources needed to scale operations, increase productivity, and drive sustainable economic growth.

3. SUPERMARKET SERVICES (P-SUPERMARKET & E-SUPERMARKET)

Bridging the Gap between Producers and Consumers

The Supermarket Services division at Impact Matters provides a modern retail platform for both physical and online sales of high-quality local and imported food products. This service supports farmers, SMEs, and food processors by providing a structured marketplace for their goods.

P-SUPERMARKET (Physical Supermarket Services)

Our physical supermarkets offer a convenient and well-organized shopping experience with a focus on:

  • Fresh and processed Made in Sierra Leone products (rice, cassava flour, poultry, dairy, fresh produce, spices, and more).
  • Imported food items and beverages to cater to diverse consumer needs.
  • Quality assurance and food safety compliance to meet national and international standards.
  • Supplier partnerships with local farmers and SMEs to support domestic value chains.
  • Special promotions and farmer-market linkages to encourage local consumption.

E-SUPERMARKET (Online Grocery & Agribusiness Marketplace)

Our E-Supermarket is an innovative digital platform designed to:

  • Enable customers to purchase groceries online with doorstep delivery.
  • Support smallholder farmers and SMEs in reaching a wider market.
  • Offer multiple payment options, including mobile money, bank transfers, and card payments.
  • Provide delivery services, including:
    • Normal Delivery (24-48 hours within Freetown and major towns).
    • Emergency Delivery (Same-day service for urgent needs).
    • Nationwide and international shipping (on-demand for select products).
  • Integrate digital marketing and customer loyalty programs to boost engagement.

By leveraging both physical and digital retail channels, we enhance market access for local agribusinesses while providing convenience, quality, and competitive pricing to consumers.

At Impact Matters, our Department of Food and Agribusiness is dedicated to strengthening agricultural value chains, expanding financing opportunities, and modernizing food retail services. Through strategic partnerships, technology adoption, and capacity building, we are committed to driving sustainable growth and economic transformation in Sierra Leone’s agribusiness sector.