How One Woman’s Vision is Transforming Agriculture and Empowering a Nation

In the lush farmlands of Wonde Kambawama, Bo District, a quiet revolution is unfolding. At its helm is Lilian Rogers, a trailblazer whose passion for agriculture has not only built a thriving enterprise but is also feeding communities, creating jobs, and redefining what is possible for women in agribusiness. Through Tivamya Limited, she has turned challenges into stepping stones, proving that the future of Sierra Leone’s food security and economic strength lies in the hands of determined visionaries like herself.

Breaking Barriers, Building an Empire

Lilian’s journey is one of resilience. In a country where women often face systemic barriers in land ownership, she fought against all odds to secure farmland. But her struggles did not end there. With poor road networks, limited access to financing, inadequate machinery, and an unreliable market, expanding her business seemed almost impossible.

Despite these obstacles, she pressed forward. With a deep understanding of Sierra Leone’s agricultural potential, she saw an opportunity where many saw limitations. She invested in cassava, rice farming, animal husbandry, fish farming, palm oil production, and fertilizer supply, determined to create an ecosystem where farming was not just about survival—but about growth, wealth creation, and national impact.

A Life-Changing Partnership with SLEDP

Lilian’s big break came when she discovered the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP) through Innovation SL. Meeting the selection criteria, she embarked on an intensive six-month training program that reshaped her approach to business.

Through SLEDP’s technical assistance, she mastered the art of financial management, bookkeeping, marketing, product handling, and income generation. She and her staff learned how to package and label their products to compete with international brands, giving locally produced goods a new level of market appeal.

Then came the SLEDP Matching Grant, which turned her vision into reality. The grant funded essential equipment, including:

•⁠ ⁠A cassava gritting machine—transforming raw cassava into high-value products like gari and cassava flour.
•⁠ ⁠⁠A cassava flour processing machine—allowing her to supply major businesses like Red Lion Bakery, which now uses her locally produced flour in bread production, reducing dependence on costly imports.
•⁠ ⁠⁠Sealing and packaging machines—enabling Tivamya Limited to meet supermarket standards, expanding her market reach beyond local communities to cities like Bo and Freetown.

With these advancements, Lilian is not only feeding Sierra Leone but ensuring the country can stand resilient against potential global supply chain disruptions in flour imports.

From 22 to 50 Employees—Changing Lives, One Job at a Time

Before SLEDP’s intervention, Tivamya Limited had 22 employees. Today, that number has more than doubled to 50, with women and youth making up the majority. But these are not just jobs—they are lifelines.

Edna Yambasu, Tivamya’s Farm Manager, is a shining example. Once an aspiring farmer with no clear path, Lilian took her under her wing. Today, she is not only managing Tivamya’s farms but is also studying Agricultural Extension at Njala University, fully sponsored by the company.

Then there’s Mohamed Mansaray, the Cassava Manager. From washing cars for a living to managing one of Tivamya’s biggest production lines, his transformation is a testament to Lilian’s commitment to uplifting others.

This impact goes beyond employment. Tivamya Limited is actively removing vulnerable youth from the streets, giving them meaningful work and training them in farming, agro-processing, and business management—equipping them with skills for a lifetime.

Expanding Horizons—Sierra Leone and Beyond

What started as a small operation in Wonde Kambawama has now expanded across multiple districts, with established branches in:

•⁠ ⁠Bo Municipality
•⁠ ⁠⁠Pujehun District (Gbondapi) – Home to a 500-hectare rice farm
•⁠ ⁠⁠Kenema District (Blama)

Tivamya’s inland valley swamp (IVS) rice farming is thriving, supplying high-quality local rice to both households and organizations, including government-led agricultural initiatives.

Their cassava and palm oil products are now attracting major players, including G-Gold, FSRP, and SCADEP, while their seed production supports farming clusters in Tomabom and Bondapi.

Their biggest partnership yet? The World Food Programme (WFP)—to which Tivamya now supplies 1,000 bags of rice for Sierra Leone’s school feeding program, ensuring that children receive nutritious meals sourced from local farms.

With a modern oil processing factory, Tivamya has also ventured into sustainable palm kernel oil production, used in soap-making, further diversifying their revenue streams.

A Call to Women—Agriculture is the Future

On this International Women’s Day, Lilian Rogers sends a powerful message to the women of Sierra Leone and beyond:

“There is money in agriculture. If women venture into farming with focus and determination, they will not only create jobs but also feed a nation. Our food security depends on us. Let’s invest in the land, build businesses, and ensure a future where Sierra Leone is self-sufficient. We don’t need to rely on imports—we have everything we need right here.”

She encourages women to embrace agribusiness as a tool for economic empowerment, stressing that through farming, they can educate their children, build sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to the nation’s economy.

For her, farming is not just work—it is an act of love, care, and responsibility.

“Agriculture needs nurturing. Just as women care for their children, they must also care for the land, the crops, and the animals. The love we put into farming will feed generations.”

The Future is Bright – And It’s Just the Beginning

Lilian Rogers is not stopping here. With a vision to take Tivamya Limited to the international market, she is setting her sights on expanding exports, forming strategic global partnerships, and ensuring that Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector competes on a global scale.

Her journey proves that with the right support, determination, and innovation, Sierra Leonean women can lead in agribusiness and beyond.

Tivamya Limited—Feeding the Nation, Empowering Women, Changing Lives.