By: Saidu Jalloh
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP), on Friday launched an implementation support mission in Kenema aimed at strengthening livestock farming and reducing rural poverty.
The delegation visited the District Agriculture Office in Kenema, where officials engaged livestock farmers in discussions on farming practices, achievements, and the challenges affecting productivity in the livestock sector.
Speaking during the engagement, Pascaline Barankeba said the LLDP project was designed to improve the living conditions of livestock farmers across the eleven operational districts covered by the programme.
Barankeba explained that the initiative seeks to empower farmers to produce nutritious food while generating sustainable income for their households and communities.
“Our mission is simple: IFAD is here to empower farmers to provide nutritious food and income for their families and communities,” she said. She further encouraged farmers to take ownership of the support provided in order to expand the project’s impact nationwide.
Representing livestock farmers in Kenema, Safinatu Bokarie said support from the Ministry of Agriculture and IFAD-funded programmes has significantly improved farmers’ livelihoods through livestock and agricultural activities.
She also assured the visiting delegation of the farmers’ commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the livestock project under the government’s Feed Salone Initiative.
Officials confirmed that the implementation support mission will continue in Bombali and other operational districts in the coming days as part of efforts to monitor progress and strengthen project delivery.