Agriculture Ministry to provide more incentives for farmers
Sierra Leone’s Agriculture Sector, though affected by the Ebola virus, has not delivering the expected goods to the nation. The sector has been constantly ensuring that the Ebola outbreak does not stop its operation.
It is no more a secret that the sector is one of the most affected as farmers lost their lives; others are survivors and are faced with stigma. In spite of some of these major challenges, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security is happy that there never been food shortage in this Ebola period.
The Minister is currently visiting various Districts across the country to have first-hand knowledge on how Ebola has affected the sector and plan for the post-Ebola situation. Addressing farmers in meetings held in Kenema District, Dr. Joseph Sam Sesay paid tribute to farmers for ensuring that the sector does not collapse during trying times.
He said his visit to Kenema was to see development activities on tree crops and to see how his Ministry will support the current challenges faced as a post Ebola package.
The Minister announced that his Ministry has gotten a program that support farmers with imported high yield rice as post Ebola support. He added that fertilizers will also be provided. He pointed out that though the Small Holder Commercialization Project has ended, his Ministry has in place another program to support farmers with feeder roads, improve on tree crops plantation, and construct more community banks and Agriculture Business Centers across the country.
The Minister had the opportunity to assess Tree Crops Rehabilitation projects that were funded by IFAD and Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH). The Minister was impressed with most of the projects he assessed in Pendebu, Ndawebu, Kamboma, Ngiema and Talia villages in the Kenema District.
He added that for the fact that farmers coming together to cultivate cocoa and coffee to make profit is a laudable venture. The crops, he said are of quality variety that brings about a high value in the international market.
The Kamboma Cocoa farm is a 20acre farm that produces about two bags last year for export. The rehabilitated farm is expected to have an output of seven bags this year.
The Minister thanked farmers that are helping President Koroma achieve his dream in the Agriculture sector. He encouraged them to continue the good works and assured of government’s continuous support.
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