Freetown, Sierra Leone – President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has today unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at propelling Sierra Leone towards agricultural self-sufficiency and economic prosperity.
Speaking at the Feed Salone Roundtable Agenda event organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, President Bio declared his government’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing investment in agriculture through the Feed Salone Programme.
Key highlights from the President’s address:
- Significant Budget Allocation: President Bio revealed that the Feed Salone Programme will receive up to 10 percent of the national budget over the next five years. This substantial financial commitment is intended to ignite agricultural productivity, ensure food security, and foster inclusive economic growth.
- Abundant Resources: The President emphasized that Sierra Leone, with its abundant land and water resources, ample sunshine, and accessible labor force, has no reason to be a net food importer. He highlighted the importance of sound public policies and de-risking the investment space to encourage private sector participation in the agricultural sector.
- Presidential Council on Agriculture: President Bio announced the establishment of a Presidential Council on Agriculture, which he will personally chair. This council will bring together various stakeholders, including government ministries, private sector representatives, farmers, academia, research institutions, and civil society, to oversee the successful implementation of the Feed Salone Programme.
The Feed Salone initiative has five key objectives:
- Reducing the importation of staple foods like rice, onions, and poultry products.
- Boosting export earnings from cash crops.
- Creating jobs and revitalizing rural areas through agriculture.
- Reducing hunger and malnutrition.
- Building resilience to economic shocks.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Babatunde Ahonsi, praised President Bio’s commitment to food security and sustainable development, emphasizing the interconnectedness between food security and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He also pledged the support of the United Nations and international development partners in ensuring the effective implementation of the Feed Salone Programme.
President Bio’s ambitious vision for agricultural transformation and self-sufficiency in Sierra Leone has garnered widespread acclaim, with hopes that this initiative will lead the nation towards a brighter and more prosperous future.
