October 6, 2021
BY PROBLYN J. ALPHA
The head of project sustaining Global Value chains in COVID-19 crisis times WHH SLE 1087 has said in Kono District that, agriculture or farming is the backbone of the country’s economy.
George Muigai made the pronouncement during the official launch of a ware house at the Moindefeh section in Koidu City for the Yormata Farmers Development Association in Kono District constructed by Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) with funds from GIZ under the Covid-19 fair Emergency Initiative Sierra Leone.
Mr. Muigai maintained that the construction of the said warehouse for Cocoa and Coffee beans is part of his organization’s initiative of scaling up the Cocoa value chain in the Country as farmers have been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic noting the project will in no doubt help them to maintain the expected Cocoa value chain for a successful business.
He pointed out that the project sustaining global value chains in Covid- 19 crisis times WHH SLE 1087 focuses on the following three major areas. Cocoa value chain, nutrition and awareness raising and prevention of Covid- 19 virus through the production of face masks, soaps, coupled with the provision of equipment for farming. George Muigai intimated the audience that the importance of the aforementioned project are to elevate Cocoa value chain, help small holder producers working in cocoa producing communities thereby making sure that the farming of cocoa is not affected by the Covid- 19 pandemic. He further stressed that the scaling up of the Cocoa value chain in order to attract the international market is key to their interventions in all their operational areas in the Country.
Meanwhile, to maintain the entire value chain, George Muigai disclosed plans by WHH to collaboratively work with value chain actors for the sake of nutrition and other natural resources in the district and the Country as a whole.
Concluding, the head of project sustaining Global value chains in Covid-19 crisis times WHH SLE 1087 urged farmers in Kono district to make good use of the launched warehouse by discouraging the problem of middle man trade which he said is very challenging to maintain the value chain in cocoa production “ I encourage you all to sell your cocoa and coffee beans to the Yormata Farmers Development Association. George Muigai appealed “.
On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Kono District, the District Agriculture Assistance officer Brima Bangura foremost expressed delight for a work well done by WHH and GIZ for constructing a warehouse which will enhance cocoa farming in the district.
He encouraged every farmer to support the construction of the said warehouse by doing business with the Yormata Farmers Development Association.
He informed all present that Kono District will be hosting this year`s World Food Celebration Day and therefore, solicited the support of all and sundry.
Kadiatu B. Brima is the Chairperson of Yormata Farmers Development Association- Kono District when making a statement she lauded their benefactors for turning their dreams into reality.
According to her as the reward for hard work is more work she appealed to WHH and GIZ to support them the more so that their vision of exporting cocoa will come to pass.
Statements from representatives of Kasiyata, Kuedondonya Agric Development, Millennium cooperative, Green Force,TAS Produce Store to name but a few with the main objective of changing the mining narratives of the district to that of agriculture and the cutting of the tape by George Muigai including entertainment from the Agro Music Empire formed high point of the official launch of the newly constructed warehouse for the Yormata Farmers Development Association in Kono District.