EU and Sierra Leonean Government launch 16 Million Euro agricultural project in Sierra Leone
In cooperation with the Sierra Leonean Government, the European Union launched a 16 Million Euro agricultural project, Agriculture for Development (A4D) in Sierra Leone. The project mainly focusses on employment creation and sustainable cash crop production aiming cocoa, coffee and cashew. The leading implementing agencies are the german NGO Welthungerhilfe, the Italian Development Cooperation COOPI and the National Research Institution of Greenwich University. Balmed has recently signed a cooperation agreement for planation rehabilitation and establishment of new plantations (Blockfarming) under the A4D project.
Irish NGO Goal visiting Balmed Store in Kenema
On the 11th november 2013, the Irish based NGO Goal International was visiting the Balmed Store in Kenema to see the companies operations and find out more about the working relations with cocoa farmers in the Kenema District. Goal Internatioal mainly focusses on humanitarian projects like healthcare, water sanitation and hygiene. Balmed is looking forward to a possible cooperation with the NGO on selected projects.
German NGO Sankofa donates football items, sewing machines and office equipment to Adult Literacy Centers
In 2013 the German NGO Sankofa e.V. donated a full container load of football items, office equipment and other items like sewing machines or music instruments. The items were collected from the members of the charity club in Germany and then shipped to Sierra Leone. The items were distributed by Balmed to the various communities and to the Adult Literacy classes Balmed is working with. The football items, containing shoes, jerseys, protectors and balls were given to 4 clubs in the Kailahun and Pujehun Districts.
New opportunities to boost honey value chain in Sierra Leone
Due to an international fast increasing bee colony collapse and it consequential impact on pollination as well as its longterm effects on the food supply chain, international research organisations focussing on bee production and its positive environmental outcomes. It is proven that for example apiculture on cashew plantation significantly improves pollination and thereof resulting in increased cashew production. The Netherland NGO Cordaid recently visited Balmed to discuss and exchange knowledge about the honey sector in Sierra Leone. Especially the combination with cashew plantations could make future honey projects sustainable for a long term supply chain, mainly for in-country marketing of honey in larger quantities as well as end-customer packaging.
