
Cashew, COVID & climate change

Balmed is a supply chain operator focussing towards a CO2 neutral & inclusive cashew value network that acts as a driver for sustainable change and positively impacts the lives of thousands, mainly female smallholder farmers in Sierra Leone. Driving digital transformation and inclusion for impactful development, Balmed is actively using the cloud based SAP Rural Sourcing Management with a designated mobile app for field agents and real-time analytics cloud reports for progress reporting and M&E. Since the COVID outbreak the company kept on planting new cashew orchards under the Balmed Blockfarming System. Organic treecrops such as cashew positively contribute towards reversing effects of climate change and CO2 exhaustion. Furthermore Balmed is continously exporting Cashew nuts from Sierra Leone the 5th consecutive year. We would like to use this opportunity to thank our partners and investors throughout our experience and learning journey.
Cashew nuts from smallholder farmers in Sierra Leone

In 2017, Balmed has started to source cashew nuts from smallholder farmers in Sierra Leone. This was the first time ever, cashew was exported officially from Sierra Leone. The Country offers excellent opportunities in the cashew sector, for cashew production and processing. Balmed is currently establishing a fully traceable cashew value chain for improved quality and increased income for rural farmers. Within the next years, Balmed expects to establish a cashew processing factory in Sierra Leone sourcing cashew nuts sustainably from ist own Blockfarms. Balmed is curently sourcing cashews. Farmers and suppliers can contact the nearest Balmed office for registration.
Balmed in Sidley Pro Bono Program

Balmed has been selected as a associated partner firm in the Africa Asia Pro Bono Program by the international law firm Sidley Austin LLP. The Pro Bono Program aims to provide legal advice to the world´s poorest farmers. The Sidley lawyers so far have adviced Balmed on a loan agreement. For more informations regarding the Pro Bono Program and Balmed´s role please visit the following link.
BALMED PRO BONO
Blockfarming Food Security

In order to cope with the poor food situation in Sierra Leone, a group of NGO´s, Government institutions and private sector partners, headed by FAO gathers weekly to discuss and implement food security strategies. So far various partners have presented their ideas and solutions in the meeting. Balmed has also presented the Blockfarming concept as well as its mobile cashless payment system to the group as an innovative approach towards food security and traceability in the agriculture sector in Sierra Leone.