By Abu Bakarr Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a significant effort to enhance food security and boost agricultural productivity, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), in collaboration with the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) and Top Man USA Company Limited, has launched the Feed Salone Initiative in four communities within the Port Loko District. This ambitious project is funded by the World Bank.
The official launching ceremony took place at the Top Man USA Company Limited office along Malekuray Road in Port Loko City. Key stakeholders present included the District Agriculture Officer (DAO), representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Director and staff of Top Man USA Company Limited.
Strategic Focus and Goals
During the event, Mr. Emmanuel Ballah Marah, the District Agriculture Officer, emphasized that MAFS serves as the supervisory body overseeing the Feed Salone Initiative. He explained that the project aims to increase mechanized farming across Sierra Leone to improve food security. The selection of the four participating communities was strategic, targeting areas heavily affected by recent flooding.
Mr. Marah assured farmers that the introduction of mechanized farming tools, particularly tractors, would significantly reduce manual labor while increasing agricultural productivity, thereby making farming more sustainable.
Support from Top Man USA Company Limited
Mr. Mohamed Alpha Gassama, Director of Top Man USA Company Limited, disclosed that his company is a key service provider for the initiative. He revealed that the company has 18 fully operational tractors and other essential farming equipment to support large-scale mechanized farming. Gassama stressed that these services are offered at no cost to farmers under the FSRP project directives.
Echoing this sentiment, General Manager Mr. Alfonso K. Turay highlighted the company’s four-year track record of providing farmers with vital mechanized farming services to enhance agricultural output.
Commitment to Efficiency and Expertise
Mr. Mohamed Lamin Yillah, Administrative Officer of Top Man USA Company Limited, reassured the public about the qualifications of the tractor operators recruited for the project. He emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring efficiency and sustainability throughout the mechanization process, which is integral to the long-term success of the Feed Salone Initiative.
A New Dawn for Food Security
The Feed Salone Initiative’s launch marks a crucial milestone in Sierra Leone’s drive to achieve sustainable food security. The provision of free mechanized farming services will enable farmers in Port Loko District to cultivate larger areas of land more efficiently, thereby reducing reliance on traditional methods and increasing productivity.
This initiative aligns with the government’s overarching vision to bolster agricultural output, improve farmer resilience, and promote sustainable food production nationwide. With projects like this, Sierra Leone is poised for greater economic growth and enhanced food security.