By George M.O. Williams
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation ( FAO) with funding from the Irish government has tools and seeds to 1,500 vegetable farmers mostly women and youths from 5 districts of Sierra Leone.
The project, entitled, “Building resilient communities through climate smart and market driven production for improved food and nutrition security in Sierra Leone”, seeks to complement Government’s efforts in reducing food insecurity and improve nutrition. The project facilitated access to quality agricultural inputs such as improved variety of vegetable seeds and farm implements.
While presenting the vegetable production inputs to project beneficiaries in Bombali, Port Loko, Karene, Moyamba and Western Rural Districts, Lansana Vandi, the mission lead representing FAO, said ending hunger and malnutrition remains a critical challenge in Sierra Leone, a fragile state with persistent food crises that have worsen in the past years.
He noted that “the extreme climate vulnerability, conflicts between livestock and crop farmers, rising inflation affecting food and fuel prices as well agricultural inputs prices have all contributed to food insecurity in Sierra Leone.’’ He admonished the project beneficiaries to make the best out of this opportunity given to them by ensuring that they use the tools and seeds for the purpose for which they are intended. He expressed the desire of FAO to extend the support to other vegetable farmers especially women and youths.
Deputy Director of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Haroun Rashid Kamara, remarked that the government of Sierra Leone is committed to making country a food secured state, and that the partnership between FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security received many commendations from project beneficiaries and implementing partners. “FAO is a worthy partner, and we must all ensure their initiative to support vegetable producers in Sierra Leone through the climate smart and market driven production for improved food and nutrition security become a success story,” said Rashid Kamara said. He urged beneficiaries to claim ownership of the project as they stand to benefit more.
Mr. Abdulai Kamara, Project Manager, Sierra Leone Network of the Right to Food – SILNoRF during the distribution ceremony at Makump America, Pakimasabon chiefdom Bombali District said SILNoRF have partnered with many organizations, but FAO’s support is unique. He said the FAO Representation always manifests its commitment in reducing food insecurity and improved nutrition in Sierra Leone through the funding and implementation of impactful projects in its area of operations. He noted that “Agriculture is now the flagship program of the Government of Sierra Leone, we will soon begin to see the implementation of more agricultural project than never before.’’
Madam Sarah Kamara, a vegetable farmer in Newton, Western Rural District expressed delight and gratitude to FAO and partners for the kind gesture in supporting women farmers in Newton. “With the training I’ve acquired, and the seeds and farming implements received; I can now go back to my farm and plant my seeds to enable me sustain my family.” Madam Sarah Kamara said. All Beneficiaries In Bombali, Karene and Port Loko expressed similar sentiment.
Apart from the 1,500 farmers who are direct beneficiaries of the project through inputs, trainings, and market linkages, indirectly, 11, 445 people will benefit from the project.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Directorate of Food and Nutrition at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation acted as key government counterparts.
By Mohamed Lamrana Jalloh, Communications Specialist @ FAO In Sierra Leone Mohamed.Jalloh@fao.org +23279244233
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