Plizio Visual Lab

Magbosi Smallholder Farms

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Agriculture

Weather…

The Magbosi agricultural project in the Tonkolili District is a pioneering example of smallholder farmer support in Sierra Leone. At the Magbosi farms, the focus is on the reclamation of Inland Valley Swamps (IVS) to enable year-round cultivation. By installing simple irrigation systems, farmers are able to grow groundnuts, maize, and various vegetables during the dry season, in addition to traditional swamp rice. This has significantly enhanced food security for local communities and reduced reliance on seasonal imports. Smallholders often work in cooperatives to more efficiently share resources such as high-quality seeds and tools. Training programs associated with the project provide essential knowledge on sustainable soil management and modern cropping techniques. The Magbosi region has thus become a model for rural development, demonstrating how targeted infrastructure improvements can boost the productivity of small family-owned farms.

Location: Sierra Leone
Nearby: Magburaka (14 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	27	29	30	30	28	26	25	24	25	26	26	26
Rain mm	1	5	12	33	115	324	451	521	350	166	54	5

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The smallholder farms of the Magbosi region form the rural backbone of local food security, predominantly growing cassava and groundnuts. These family-run plots reflect the enduring agrarian lifestyle of Sierra Leone.

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Visiting

Visitors passing through the countryside can easily observe the mosaic of unfenced plots along village roads. While there are no formal tours, respectful greetings often lead to friendly, informal interactions with farmers.

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Where to view it

Walking paths connecting rural settlements offer an intimate, ground-level perspective of the agricultural methods. Gentle hills in the wider terrain occasionally provide sweeping vistas of the patchwork green fields.

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Local products

Roadside stands and community markets are the best places to find freshly harvested groundnuts, raw cassava, and related artisan goods. You may also discover locally processed items like cassava flour or traditional snacks.

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Active season

Farming activities are most intense right before and during the rainy season when planting occurs, typically from May to October. Harvesting times bring lively community efforts visible in the fields throughout the day.

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Nearby

This immersive rural experience can be combined with visiting the nearby natural forest reserves or exploring the Rokel River. The journey into the provinces provides a stark contrast to the bustle of coastal Freetown.

Geography

Coordinates

8.60000, -12.00000

Facts

The project was launched in the 1980s with significant international assistance.
Over 1,500 hectares of swamp land were reclaimed for intensive cultivation.
The irrigation channels in the project area extend for a total length of over 10 km.
Magbosi is strategically located on the border between Tonkolili and Port Loko districts.
Groundnuts are the most important cash crop in the project after rice.
The 'Master Farmer' system is used to train local farmers as agricultural extension workers.