By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) on Thursday held a high-level coordination meeting with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the agriculture sector to share findings from the 2024 Crop Yield Survey and align efforts under the government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative.
The meeting, held at the MAFS Conference Room, Youyi Building, brought together key development partners to review progress, enhance collaboration, and strategize on boosting national food production.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security II, Mr. Sahr Hemore, emphasized the vital role NGOs continue to play in transforming Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector. He noted that regular engagements with partners are essential for tracking achievements, addressing challenges, and implementing effective, solutions-driven interventions.
“The Ministry considers NGOs as critical partners in achieving the Feed Salone agenda. That is why we convene these meetings to assess progress, identify gaps, and work collectively toward sustainable outcomes,” Deputy Minister Hemore stated.
He further highlighted the Ministry’s continued commitment to monitoring field projects implemented by NGOs across the country. According to him, such oversight is key to achieving food self-sufficiency, a legacy he said would be shared by both the government and its partners.
Presenting the 2024 Annual Crop Yield Report, Mr. Umaru Sankoh, Director of the Planning, Evaluation, Monitoring, and Statistics Division (PEMSD), disclosed that the survey covered major crops including rice, maize, sweet potato, cocoa, cassava, and groundnut. He reported that 636,473 hectares of farmland were cultivated nationwide in 2024, with an average yield of 2.18 tonnes per hectare achieving 72% of the country’s food self-sufficiency target.
Sankoh urged NGOs to deepen collaboration with PEMSD in data collection processes, noting that improved coordination will enhance the accuracy of agricultural statistics and support evidence-based policymaking.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Alpha Yayah Mansaray, Acting Director of Agricultural Extension Services, emphasized that the purpose of the meeting was to align partner projects with the Feed Salone initiative, build trust, and enhance accountability to communities.
He commended NGOs for their continued engagement and encouraged them to sustain and strengthen their collaboration with the Ministry.
The session concluded with an interactive dialogue, during which partners proposed practical ways to improve coordination, foster synergies, and maximize impact across the agricultural sector.