IGC and WUR Discuss Strengthening Sierra Leone’s Poultry Value Chain
By Mohamed Jawara
The International Growth Center (IGC) and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) held a strategic workshop on Friday, February 28th, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown. The event brought together key stakeholders from government ministries, the private sector, researchers, and development partners to discuss the findings of two recent studies aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s poultry value chain.
Presenting the study results, Michael Rozelle of Wageningen University and Research provided an overview of the background and motivation for the research. He highlighted that in 2004, approximately 1.6 million Sierra Leoneans (20% of the population) were acutely food insecure, with high food prices being a major contributing factor. He emphasized that high import dependency worsens food prices, making it difficult for local consumers and businesses to afford essential goods. Without a developed domestic value chain, both producers and consumers face significant challenges.
Rozelle further noted that although 40% of farmers in Sierra Leone cultivate maize, domestic poultry firms still struggle to source high-quality maize locally. As a result, poultry farms rely on costly maize imports, depriving local farmers of valuable business opportunities. To address this, his team collaborated with local financial institutions to offer agricultural loan products to 26 communities around Mile 91.
The study found that farmers who received these loans were more likely to grow maize and harvested twice as much maize as those who did not receive financial support.
The workshop was structured into smaller group discussions focusing on key findings and recommendations.
Chukwu Emeka Chikezie, Country Director of IGC, emphasized the need for trade policies that support farmers. He acknowledged that while farmers are willing to cultivate maize, they often lack the necessary resources. He also stressed the importance of political will in ensuring that initiatives like Feed Salone are not hindered by maize exports to Guinea. According to Chikezie, policymakers must consider not just agriculture but also financial policies to support local production.
Alimamy Conteh, a representative of farmers' groups, highlighted the success of contract farming financing models facilitated by financial institutions. He recommended replicating these models for cocoa farmers, enabling cooperatives to finance their members, who could then engage with exporters.
He however, pointed out that high-interest rates often discourage farmers from taking loans.
Francis Sesay, founding member of the Pig and Poultry Farmers Association, stressed the importance of sustainability in local food production. He noted that many consumers struggle to differentiate between locally produced and imported food, making market competition a challenge for local farmers.
Andre Williams, representing True Valley, spoke about value chain marketing, emphasizing that many farmers lack adequate knowledge about market access. He called on policymakers to prioritize accessibility to essential resources for farmers.
Pakai Kamara, founder and managing director of Sierra Akker Agricultural Company, highlighted Sierra Leone’s heavy reliance on imported poultry feed ingredients. He encouraged local farmers to focus on growing the major ingredients needed for feed production to reduce import dependency. Kamara praised the government’s Feed Salone initiative and urged continued support for local production to boost the poultry sector.
The workshop concluded with calls for policy reforms, financial support mechanisms, and greater collaboration between stakeholders to strengthen Sierra Leone’s poultry value chain.
