By: James Kamara-Manneh
In a proactive measure to address the critical shortage of field staff hindering the implementation of Sierra Leone’s flagship agricultural program, Feed Salone, the Ministry of Finance has granted clearance to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to hire 1000 extra field-level personnel. This move marks a significant boost to the government’s efforts to propel President Bio’s ambitious agricultural agenda forward.
The allocation, split into two phases, will see 700 new hires in 2024 and an additional 300 in 2025. With the current staff cadre across the board only filled to 40%, the injection of these additional personnel is deemed essential to bridge the gap and expedite the effective execution of Feed Salone initiatives.
“Field-level staff have been identified as the most critical missing link in our implementation plans,” stated a spokesperson from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. “This timely boost in personnel will facilitate the fundamental changes necessary for the transformation of Sierra Leone’s agriculture and food systems, as outlined in the Feed Salone strategy.”
The Ministry plans to strategically deploy the new hires to address critical gaps in extensions, livestock services, data collection, and monitoring, all of which are vital components of the Feed Salone initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and food security in the country.
The decision has been lauded by stakeholders, who view it as a significant step towards realizing the objectives outlined in the Feed Salone program. “We thank the Ministry of Finance for their support in advancing the President’s Feed Salone agenda,” remarked a representative from a local agricultural advocacy group.
The Feed Salone program, detailed on the official government website www.feedsalone.gov.sl, outlines a comprehensive strategy for agricultural development, focusing on increasing production, improving access to markets, and enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers.
As Sierra Leone embarks on the first full year of implementing the Feed Salone strategy, the infusion of 1000 additional field staff is poised to catalyze progress towards achieving the program’s overarching goals, signaling a renewed commitment to agricultural transformation and food security in the country.
