Feed Salone’s First Year: Progress, Climate-Smart
Agriculture, and Future Ambitions
The Presidential Council for Delivering Feed Salone recently met with President Julius Maada Bio at State House to brief him on the significant progress made during the first year of the Feed Salone initiative.
The
council underscored the critical importance of climate-smart agriculture
in ensuring sustainable food security for Sierra Leone.
Key Achievements and Strategic Partnerships
Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, the Minister of Agriculture and Secretary to the Council, presented a detailed report of the initiative’s first-year milestones. He noted that Feed Salone has established strong institutional frameworks and developed partnerships with both local and international stakeholders, securing over $1 billion in funding.
These
resources have enabled significant investments in agricultural infrastructure,
such as roads, bridges, and irrigation systems across the country.
Dr. Kpaka highlighted that the completion of a national soil mapping program now offers vital data to help farmers implement optimal farming practices. In addition, the expansion of rice cultivation, mechanization, and improved irrigation have been key to boosting agricultural productivity.
He also pointed
to the introduction of innovations like rural telephony systems to
assist farmers, alongside investments in the cultivation of orange-fleshed
sweet potatoes and yellow-fleshed cassava.
Focus on Climate-Smart Agriculture
The
Council strongly advocated for the adoption of climate-smart agricultural
practices, emphasizing the need for resilience in the face of climate
change. This focus is seen as critical for the long-term sustainability of
Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector and Feed Salone’s goals.
Ambitious Plans for the Next Two Years
Looking
ahead, Dr. Kpaka shared the Council’s ambitious targets for the next two years,
including:
- Development
of 16,000 hectares of Inland Valley Swamps for enhanced rice
production.
- Strengthening
seed systems to ensure quality agricultural inputs.
- Scaling
up livestock projects and industrializing cassava production.
- Establishing
Sierra Leone’s first farmer registry and launching insurance
policies to protect farmers.
Dr.
Kpaka called for increased civic engagement, stressing that Feed Salone
is a national initiative requiring widespread participation from all Sierra
Leoneans.
President Bio’s Commitment to Agricultural Development
President
Bio commended the Council for their dedication to Feed Salone, attributing the
progress made to their expertise and collective efforts. He highlighted his
ongoing pursuit of both domestic and international funding to support the
initiative.
“I
have aggressively sought funding both within and outside Sierra Leone to
realize the promise I made to the people,” said President Bio. “It is our
responsibility to prepare projects that will ensure we can access those
pledges.”
The
President reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Sierra Leone's self-sufficiency
in food production, emphasizing the importance of collective determination
and responsibility in achieving the nation’s agricultural goals.
Vice President Jalloh on Food Chain Systems
Vice
President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh
emphasized that the government’s investments in farmers, particularly through
credit facilities provided by the central bank, have contributed to a reduction
in food imports. He highlighted that the end goal of Feed Salone is to
create a robust food chain system, which is vital for sustainable food
security.
The
progress made under Feed Salone reflects the government’s commitment to
transforming the agricultural sector and improving food security for the people
of Sierra Leone.