Mary Alpha, coach, founder, andlead consultant at Farm TokConsultancy.

Celebrating Growth with Mary Alpha: Coaching, Farming, and Community Progress

In Sierra Leone, many rural farmers and small businesses struggle with limited access to business development services, training, and mentorship. This often hampers productivity, growth, and the ability to scale. Mary Alpha, a licensed Lead Trainer, business consultant, and coach, is helping bridge this gap by empowering rural entrepreneurs with the skills, guidance, and support they need to succeed.

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Meet Mary Alpha

Mary Alpha is a dedicated business consultant passionate about rural farmers and SME growth. Since 2022, she has become an accredited and licensed Lead Trainer in Sierra Leone. She is the founder and lead consultant at Farm Tok Consultancy in Kenema District and a proud mother of two boys.

Mary works closely with rural SMEs and farmers, providing Business Development Services including training, business strategy support, planning, and pitching guidance.

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Building Rural Leaders

Her journey with the ILO Opportunity Salone Project began when she applied for a Training-of-Trainers opportunity using the GET Ahead tool. She was shortlisted, trained, and became a certified lead trainer. Today, she leverages a hybrid business model, combining coaching, training, agribusiness development, and psychosocial support to strengthen rural entrepreneurs.

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Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Impact

Life was not easy for Mary. As a single mother and sole breadwinner, she faced significant challenges despite her education and experience. Returning to Kenema, she noticed that many farmers struggled to manage business cash flow effectively, limiting growth and sustainability for rural enterprises.

Through the ILO Opportunity Salone Project, Mary gained the skills, network, and certification to make a difference. She now leads a team of five permanent staff and sixteen external TOT trainers, who under her guidance have reached over 1,200 rural farmers and SMEs across Sierra Leone. Her training uses GET Ahead, My Coop, W-ER, and RAI tools. The first BDS training involved 200 women on water kiosk management through the Water for Peace Project supported by UNCDF.

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Mentoring Success Across Key Value Chains

Mary has helped several enterprises flourish in key value chains including palm oil, cassava, and waste management. Success stories under her mentorship include Imam Moiwa Oil Palm, Green Energy Charcoal Briquette, Salbin Cutting Edge, and Conteh Industries. Her interventions have strengthened business operations, improved livelihoods, and built confidence among women, men, and persons with disabilities.

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Driving Lasting Impact

Mary’s story demonstrates how training, mentorship, and targeted support can empower rural SMEs and farmers. By providing practical skills, business guidance, and psychosocial support, Mary is helping to build resilient communities, strengthen local value chains, and create lasting economic and social impact.

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By the Numbers

• Production and Reach: Over 1,200 rural farmers and SMEs trained

• Team: 5 permanent staff, 16 external TOT trainers

• Value Chains Supported: Palm oil, cassava, and waste management

• Training Tools Used: GETAhead, My Coop, W-ER, RAI

• Impact: Strengthened SMEs including Imam Moiwa Oil Palm, Green Energy Charcoal Briquette, Salbin Cutting Edge, Conteh Industries