Chief Minister Launches US135M Food Systems Resilience Project
BY Mohamed Konneh
The Chief Minister Dr. David Monina Sengeh on Tuesday 5th December 2023 launched the Food Systems Resilience Project at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown.
The launching was made possible through the support of the World Bank. The project launch is a major event that provides a good platform for increased understanding of the project concept, approach and implementation procedure as well as the relationship between the project and other government development strategies such as the Feed Salone.
Dr. Sengeh said he was delighted to launch the program as it gives a unique opportunity for the ‘Feed Salone’ Program noting that the project activities have already started prior to the launch.
He said Nine Hundred thousand households have benefited from various government interventions and that the project was also supporting the school feeding program.
‘This project has also reached a good number of farmers and that it is on the verge of employing a good number of youths. The food system for the past seven months has done so much and that we have reached this stage based on the collaboration and strategic partnership with the World Bank and other players. This is something to celebrate,’ the Chief Minister said.
He commended the Ministry of Agriculture, the farmers, the project team adding that government is grateful for the hands on activities so far.
‘The FSRP is a tool to support the Feed Salone’ program and that the government will continue to work assiduously in this direction. We extend invitation to all to come on-board. Let us make sure we deliver and let us make sure we build the systems that work,’ he said.
Dr. Sengeh called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to continue with it digitization program.
‘We know there are people who will reject and would not want digitization to work but continue with it because this is the way to go.
The Country Manager of the World Bank, Abdu Muwonge said the agriculture value chain looks at rice, cocoa and horticulture.
He said the program support the government big five for which ‘Feed Salone program is among.
The project is to enable the country to produce and export products such as pepper and that producers are able to produce and sell out of the country.
In his presentation the World Bank Senior Agricultural Economist and Task Team leader, Adetungi Oredipe said with 65 percent of Sierra Leone population living in rural areas, rapid and broad base agriculture growth and transformation are fundamental to the country prospect and inclusive development, poverty reduction and food security.
He said agricultural growth transformation entail productivity growth, enhance competiveness.
The World Bank Task Team Lead said the agriculture sector contributes over 55 percent to GDP and provides employment for 75 percent of the population
He said the sector growth average is 4.3 percent from 2015 to 2019 but fell to 1.6 percent
He said Sierra Leone has tremendous diversity and growing potential for agriculture in its upland and low land ecologies but has been unable to fully exploit this potential.
‘Recognizing the unmet potential the focus is on value chains including rice, cacao and horticulture. On the rice value chain half of the households that is three quarters of rural households and about two thirds of poor households grow rice.
Mr Oredipe said Sierra Leone average rice yield is low, especially during the dries.
‘The rice chain participants face numerous challenges and this include drought in the upland and rainfed lowlands. On cocoa Sierra Leone yield of 430 kg compares quite favourable with these yields.
He said there is surging global demand for chocolates and other cacao but the lack of sufficient quality cacao beans to feed the demand is a challenge.
‘Sierra Leone has huge unmet potential on cacao and this must change.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Musa Kpaka applauded the work done by the World Bank noting that the report put together put rice in the lead.
He said government has now started addressing some of challenges in the rice production and that rice importers have been asked to participate in the rice value chain.
‘The report is good and that the government will implement the recommendations. The project will look at integrated land management and construct in-valley swamps. The program aims to enhance trade and that nutrition is part of the program,’ he said.
He said key milestone have been achieved prior to the launching and this include support to poor households and vulnerable groups.
