By Dadson A. Musa
On the 15th of March, at the farm site in Torma Bum, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, alongside the Paramount Chief Kaipumoh, presidential adviser on Food Security and Climate Change, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chief Agriculture Officer Jalloh, and other dignitaries, launched the planting season for the Feed Salone project.
The ceremony, chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Agriculture Ministry, E.E. Sorie, was well attended by farmers and section chiefs from the Chiefdom. Mr. Sorie expressed gratitude to the dignitaries for attending despite the rough road terrain. He emphasized the seriousness of the Feed Salone project, stating, “We cannot afford to fail.”
Paramount Chief Joseph Kiapumoh thanked President Bio for initiating the project in his Chiefdom and urged the government to allocate necessary finances for its success. He also called for the improvement of the road infrastructure and the presence of the District Agricultural Officer in Torma Bum.
Project heads, John Maada Paul Sinnah and Abdullai Bum Wai, outlined activities undertaken to ensure the success of the Feed Salone project, including farmer registration, installation of integrated rice mills, and contracting Pavi Fort for road construction. Each farmer will be allocated 5 hectares of land, aiming to maximize rice production.
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for maximizing rice production and providing oversight and support. However, he acknowledged challenges posed by climate change.
In his keynote address, Minister Henry Musa Kpaka highlighted rice as the primary value chain for feeding Sierra Leone, aiming to revive the country’s glory days of rice exportation. He announced plans for cultivating 2200 hectares of farmland, initiating 4000 hectares of irrigation, and launching credit facilities of up to $20 million for farmers, with support from the European Union.
Torma Bum is slated to be the largest site, with government, private sector, and irrigation projects totaling thousands of hectares. The ceremony concluded with the minister and entourage riding ploughing machines, and a vote of thanks was given by Saffie Mambu.
