Communication is important for the success of a project and it cannot just happen, it should be made to happen. This is because certain criteria, instruments, technique and methodologies most be used to ensure effective communication. The communication for development strategy that has been developed for the FSCA project in Sierra Leone is useful for both internal communication (all stakeholders of the project: government, donors, other development partners and farmers) and for external communication (the general public).More than 90% of the FBOs of the FSCA project in Sierra Leone participated in the design of the communication for development strategy.

The FSCA project operates at three levels in Sierra Leone. The Headquarter Level; the District Level and the Farm Level. Communication also circulates within and between these various levels. This framework promotes interactions with Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs) and Farmer Field Schools(FFS) as the vehicles for transmitting information between the project’s institutional management structures and beneficiaries.

The communication web seems simplistic but this is not the case in practice. Communication does not always flow in a systematic direction. Sometimes information from the head quarter can be communicated directly to stakeholders at the farm level even though that information, even if directly communicated to the farm level, should also be communicated to the district level but this is not always the case.
The implication is that information can be lost and verifying the source of the information can be time consuming. The lack of systematic channel of information that is consistently followed can also affect beneficiaries trust in the stakeholders who can be confused easily. These issues have been addressed in a communication strategy by assigning specific activities with regards to communication to stakeholders with clear roles of responsibilities.
As far as the communication web is concerned in implementing the FSCA project in Sierra Leone, there is no clear line of responsibility for accounting for the overall communication with regards to the project. It is not surprising to hear, therefore, from one of the District Agriculture Officers that “a lot has been done but little is known”.

However, there are communication challenges especially with regards to reaching the farmers directly. Communications with the use of the national television is not possible as the two districts do not have television coverage. Community radios and the use of mobile phone to pass information is useful but has been used rarely, especially the latter. This is also because of lack of adequate coverage but above all the lack of a communication strategy. The traditional means of communication (songs, folklore and storytelling) are no longer predominant in rural areas mainly because of access and preference for modern means of communication.

To increase the visibility of the FSCA project in Sierra Leone and ensure effective communication among stakeholders, a communication strategy has been developed. Some of the proposed activities outlined by the strategy include field studies, interpersonal communication, trade fair, training workshops, radio discussions and campaigns, use of posters, billboards and demos.

The implementation of the strategy will ensure easy flow and access to information among stakeholders. This is also expected to increase the productivity of the farmers and increase public knowledge about the project in Sierra Leone.