Latest News
The LIFFT-Cashew Steering Committee Meets in Bissau to Advance Key Initiatives
November 14, 2024
USDA LIFFT Cashew STEERING COMMITEE in BISSAU
November 14, 2024
USDA visit in Bissau
November 12, 2024
INVITATION TENDER-SFL-2024-11-005
November 11, 2024Social Media Posts
; BISSAU STEERING COMMITEE METTING
#shelterforlifeinternational #LIFFTCashew #USDA #EconomicGrowth #CashewIndustry #GuineaBissau #SustainableDevelopment
#FoodSecurity #shelterforlifeinternational #LIFFTCashew #USDA #SustainableFarming #WomenInAgriculture #Intercropping #MarketGardening #Empowerment #cooperatives #Bissau
SFL empowers producers to diversify their agricultural practices 🌱, fostering food security for all. Alongside and under the cashew trees🌳, women are actively engaged in intercropping and market gardening 🌿.
#WomenInAgriculture #Intercropping #MarketGardening #Empowerment
In this way, they meet the expenses and needs of their families 💪 while contributing to the economy of their communities❤️.
#FoodSecurity #shelterforlifeinternational #LIFFTCashew #USDA #SustainableFarming #cooperatives #Bissau
We were delighted to welcome a team from the USDA, who were able to discover the significant impact of the LIFFT-Cashew project. Their visit highlighted our efforts to build and rehabilitate warehouses and production tracks, and to finance and support processing units in Bissau.
We also shared exciting advances in good agricultural practices, which are helping to strengthen the cashew industry, a sustainable agricultural future in Guinea-Bissau! 🙌
#LIFFTCashew #USDA #CashewNuts #SustainableDevelopment
https://lifftproject.com/job-vacancy/invitation-to-bid-itb-n-sfl-lifft-cashew-project-5302-2024-01-construction-materials/
https://lifftproject.com/job-vacancy/4691/
As part of the USDA-funded LIFFT project, 81 cooperative members in Manconomba, Sedhiou region, and Tendounck Village in Bourhiapay received training in organizational dynamics and leadership. This same valuable training was also extended to cooperatives in Guinea Bissau.
By equipping cooperative leaders with essential skills, we’re empowering them to strengthen their organizations and drive sustainable growth within their communities.
🌿👥 #CooperativeLeadership #CommunityDevelopment #ShelterForLife #CapacityBuilding
Through the USDA-funded LIFFT Cashew project, Shelter For Life is making strides in climate-smart agriculture by providing 42 tons of organic fertilizer and 50,000 grafted seedlings to local farmers. By partnering with cooperatives like AJAC LUKAAL and FAMVI.
🌍 #ShelterForLife
we’re enhancing productivity and fostering sustainability in the SeGaBi area. These efforts are crucial in our collective response to climate change, driving impactful progress for resilient communities.
💪#SustainableAgriculture #ClimateAction #CommunityImpact #LIFFTCashew
Through the USDA-funded LIFFT project, we’re driving sustainable development by rehabilitating 18km of track on the Pelundo-Jolmete axis. This crucial improvement enhances access for local communities and empowers farmers to transport their produce more efficiently.
Our efforts are a testament to the transformative impact of climate-smart agriculture initiatives. Together, we’re paving the way for resilient communities and a sustainable future.
#ShelterForLife #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityEmpowermentAgriculture
LIFFT-Cashew
This is a 6-year program (2017-2023) funded by USDA and implemented by Shelter for Life International to enhance the production and trade of cashews in local and international markets.
The LIFFT-Cashew project works around four objectives which are:
Increase RCN quality
Production: High yields and high quality of RCN in trees
Production of organic RCN
Organic certification: Production of organic RCN
Post-harvest Farming
Maintain high quality of RCN after harvesting
Post-production handling
Improve post-production handling, and strengthen farm management.
Our Components
On-Farm Practices
Training on good agricultural practices was provided to 20,946 cashew producers through pre-selected cooperative members as trainers/facilitators, who attended thematic train-the-trainer modules on pruning, thinning, nut separation, drying, storage, organic standards, and new plantation establishment techniques. A total of 721 trainers were trained. 32 nurseries were established by the support of the project in three countries and in total 98.000 seedlings were produced and sold to cashew producers. In total 46.815 hectares of cashew plantations were improved by application of good agricultural practices. 3.027 producers were certified for organic production.
Market Access
24 cooperative societies were established or strengthened by providing series of training and daily coaching on business management, access to finance, sales, and market relations. Massive sensitization of cooperatives was supported, reaching at least 25,278 cashew producers. This resulted 145 commercial contracts signed between cooperatives and buyers, on supply of RCN. In total 122.397 MT of cashew nuts were sold collectively amounting $105.912.210 in value of sales.
Access to Finance
The Project is working with financial institutions to increase access to microcredits and loans to cashew producers and processors. Two (2) financial institutions (microfinance) provided loans in amount of $917,897 and fifty-three (53) individual buyers and trading companies provided to producers and cooperatives pre-financing in amount of $64.487.593. The project Cashew fund disbursed to nine (9) processing facilities loans in amount of $740.000 for purchase of raw cashew nuts (RCN) during the season, that leveraged $4.641.041 private investment into the cashew sector. 1.777 individuals (incl. 463 women) were trained about entrepreneurship, financial management, loans.
Infrastructure
Construction and rehabilitation of rural roads to facilitate the flow of cashew nuts. combines both heavy machinery and manual labor to create employment opportunities. To date 136,24 KM of feeder roads constructed and 4,640 jobs created. In total 15.564 m3 of storage were rehabilitated and constructed which allowed farmers to maintain quality and organize collective sales.
