By: Precious Miracle Kargbo

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has presided over the signing of a pivotal financing agreement between the Sierra Leone government and the European Union (EU) today, aimed at advancing the “Sustainable Food and Agricultural Value Chains Development” initiative on Friday 31st January, 2025.

This agreement marks a significant milestone for Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone flagship program, designed to bolster the nation’s agricultural sector and promote food sovereignty.

The signing ceremony, held in Freetown, underscores the enduring partnership between Sierra Leone and the European Union, which has been instrumental in supporting sustainable development across various sectors.

The EU’s commitment to aiding Sierra Leone aligns with its broader mission to enhance food security and resilience in developing nations.

President Bio emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “This partnership with the EU is crucial as we strive to transform our agricultural landscape. It will not only create jobs but will also empower our farmers and ensure that all Sierra Leoneans have access to healthy, locally produced food.”

In his remarks, President Julius Maada Bio expressed deep gratitude to the European Union and its taxpayers for their unwavering support and commitment to Sierra Leone’s development. He reaffirmed that Sierra Leone enjoys a strong and productive partnership with the EU, with numerous developmental interventions visible across the country.

President Bio emphasised that the EU’s investments extend beyond infrastructure to community empowerment and livelihood improvement, directly impacting the lives of Sierra Leoneans. He praised the EU for aligning its interventions with the Feed Salone program, which he described as a priority under his administration’s Big Five Game Changers.

He further stressed that food security, improved infant nutrition, job creation—especially for women and youth—and climate-smart agriculture are key pillars of his government’s vision for economic transformation. President Bio reassured that the grant would be efficiently utilised to deliver tangible outcomes in Sierra Leone’s agricultural value chains.

The funding will facilitate the development of sustainable agricultural practices, improve supply chains, and enhance the overall efficiency of food production.

The initiative is expected to benefit numerous communities across Sierra Leone by providing training, resources, and infrastructure improvements necessary to boost agricultural output. By focusing on sustainable practices, the program aims to reduce reliance on imported food and foster local farming capabilities.

Moderating the ceremony, Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, emphasised that the financing agreement represents a significant boost to Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector. He noted that the funds would be instrumental in strengthening the food value chain, increasing production, and ensuring food security in the country.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, expressed his delight at the signing, highlighting the EU’s longstanding partnership and contributions to Sierra Leone’s agricultural development. He explained that the financing agreement would focus on improving the cassava, oil palm, and infant food value chains. Dr. Kpaka further acknowledged the EU’s strong and positive response to the Feed Salone initiative, which aims to revolutionise agriculture and enhance food production.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, commended the government for its commitment to cooperation and sustainable development. He recalled that the EU had signed three financing agreements with Sierra Leone last year and described this latest agreement as a milestone in agricultural value chain financing.

Ambassador Jankowski stated that the €35 million grant would focus on improving sustainability, efficiency, and inclusivity in the cassava, oil palm, and infant food value chain sectors. The program will incorporate climate-smart agricultural practices, enhance processing efficiency, and facilitate decent green job creation, particularly for women and youth involved in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.

He also highlighted that this agreement is part of the EU’s Multi-annual Indicative Programme (2021-2027), which underscores the EU’s commitment to improving food security, empowering local communities, and fostering inclusive economic growth through climate-smart practices and strengthened value chains.

The EU’s consistent support has played a vital role in promoting initiatives that target food insecurity, environmental sustainability, and economic development in Sierra Leone. As the country strives to achieve food sovereignty, the collaboration with the EU is poised to create lasting impacts on the livelihoods of farmers and the overall economy.

With this agreement, Sierra Leone takes a significant step forward in its quest for sustainable agricultural growth, with the potential to transform the food landscape for future generations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here