SLeCAD and US Visionary Team hold talks with Agriculture Minister
The Sierra Leone Centre for Agri-business Development (SLeCAD) last Wednesday received four American investors who are in the country to carryout a feasibility study in the areas they want to invest within the agricultural sector. (Photo: Chief Executive Officer of Good Samaritan Ministries, Martin Miller)
In a meeting with the Deputy Minister 2 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, Lovell Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer of Good Samaritan Ministries, Martin Miller said the team is here to help Sierra Leone become self-sustainable in the agricultural sector. He reiterated that they are in the country to carry out a feasibility study in the sector noting that the right professionals in their areas of intervention will arrive soon.
Martin Miller said they will focus on training and technology resource provision, tools, livestock/poultry, feed production, among others. The CEO added that they will also focus on the poor stating that people are not meant to be stocked in poverty. ‘…we will create opportunity for individuals to rise up and stand for themselves…’ he said.
Mr. Miller further disclosed that the team will create a strategy in order to strengthen feed production in the country by subsidising farmers to produce feed for themselves.
Speaking on behalf of the ministry, the Deputy Minister 2 welcomed the Americans observing that building the capacity of farmers is crucial for the development of the sector. He said the ministry would like to know how, where and when to come in in order to make their work a success. Mr. Thomas told the investors that the ministry is assisting farmers with materials to reduce their cost of production which he said would discourage excessive importation of goods into Sierra Leone.
The Executive Secretary of SLeCAD, Ahmed Nanoh said the intervention of the American investors is a big boost for the sector as farmers would be trained and introduced to new technologies. He added that the investors will also visit farm sites up country.
Amadu Femoh Sesay, Freetown
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