By: James Kamara-Manneh
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka concluded a dynamic five-day field assessment and sensitization tour across several districts, fervently promoting the Feed Salone Programme. The tour, spanning Bombali, Karene, Koinadugu, and Falaba districts, aimed to foster stronger ties between farmers and the ministry while directly engaging with communities impacted by the initiative.
Throughout the tour, Minister Kpaka directed attention towards bolstering the rice value chain in Bombali and Karene districts, while emphasizing vegetable and livestock cultivation in Koinadugu and Falaba respectively. Commending farmers’ progress, Minister Kpaka addressed an array of challenges including financing hurdles, seed quality concerns, accessibility to extension services, water resources, and the imperative for gender-inclusive machinery such as power tillers. He stressed the necessity of advanced agricultural infrastructure like greenhouses and cool rooms for enhanced productivity.
An essential focus of Minister Kpaka’s discourse was on irrigation systems for year-round cultivation and the pivotal role of well-constructed roads in facilitating agricultural development. Assurances of support, particularly in regions like Mongo and Kamakwie, were pledged by the Minister.
Under the auspices of the Feed Salone Programme, significant support for farmers was pledged, encompassing access to markets, farmer insurance, a low-interest agricultural credit facility, and an upcoming livestock project aimed at small ruminants. Minister Kpaka fervently urged farmers to capitalize on these opportunities, especially highlighting the availability of grants from the World Bank.
The Minister’s proactive engagement underscores the government’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector and ensuring food security across Sierra Leone. As the nation grapples with agricultural challenges, initiatives like the Feed Salone Programme offer a beacon of hope for sustainable development and economic prosperity in rural communities.
Minister Kpaka’s extensive tour underscores the government’s commitment to revitalizing agriculture and ensuring food security. With the Feed Salone Programme at the forefront, Sierra Leone is poised to achieve sustainable development and economic prosperity in rural regions.