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President Bio Launches Rural Farmers Radio 98.9 FM to Boost Agricultural Communication in Kambia
His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has officially launched the Rural Farmers Radio 98.9 FM during the national World Food Day celebration held in Kambia District.
The newly established radio station is a groundbreaking initiative jointly financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sierra Leone. It was implemented through the Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme (RFCIP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS).
The Rural Farmers Radio 98.9 FM aims to empower rural communities and smallholder farmers by improving access to agricultural information, financial literacy, and market opportunities. It will serve as a key communication platform delivering programmes on modern agronomic practices, climate-smart agriculture, market updates, and entrepreneurship.
The initiative also seeks to promote self-reliance and behavioural change among farmers, helping them transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
Speaking at the launch, President Bio affirmed that “this radio is here to stay,” describing it as a vital tool for enhancing agricultural awareness, promoting market access, and supporting the government’s ongoing efforts to achieve food security under the Feed Salone Initiative.
He commended IFAD for its strong partnership and continued investment in transforming rural livelihoods through access to finance and information dissemination.
“I am Julius Maada Bio, the President of Sierra Leone an active farmer with a passion for farming because it is good for the nation. We can feed ourselves and create jobs for young Sierra Leoneans. I am calling on young people to grow what we eat and eat what we grow. This is my first time speaking to you from this radio, and it will not be the last, because I will continue to share my own experiences as a farmer,” the President stated.
President Bio emphasised that effective communication remains central to the success of the Feed Salone Initiative, as it ensures that farmers across the country are informed, motivated, and equipped to adopt improved agricultural practices.
The launch event was led by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, and attended by senior government officials, representatives of IFAD, staff of RFCIP, the Apex Bank, local authorities, and hundreds of community members.
Participants hailed the initiative as a timely and strategic intervention to close the information gap between farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
