Sierra Leone’s Efforts Towards Food Self-Sufficiency
In celebration of World Food Day on Wednesday, October 16, Sierra Leone is hosting a two-day gathering in the Kaliahun region in the east to raise awareness and promote healthy, local eating. Food self-sufficiency lies at the core of a flagship government program known as Feed Salone. This ambitious program, funded by various international donors including the World Bank, marks its first anniversary today.
The Sierra Leonean government’s pledge under the Feed Salone strategy is to “eat fresh and local produce.”
One significant change one year after its inception is the introduction of modern agricultural tools. Nasu Kposowah, a farmer from Torma Bum, a rice-growing region in southern Sierra Leone, reflects on the impact: “We used to rely on sickles and knives to harvest rice. We would seek help from others, and at the end of the day, we had to share the rice with them as they assisted in the harvest. Today, I am no longer dependent on men as I can produce large quantities of rice by myself and market them. Before the program, I produced ten bags; now, I hope to produce 20 bags or even more.”
President Julius Maada Bio’s government is utilizing multiple approaches to combat food insecurity. These include plans to increase land irrigation, make them less susceptible to the effects of climate change, and enhance access to financial resources.
By empowering local farmers with modern techniques and tools, Sierra Leone aims to boost agricultural productivity, reduce dependence on external aid, and ultimately achieve food self-sufficiency. Through Feed Salone and other initiatives, the government is not only addressing immediate food security challenges but also laying the foundation for a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.