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The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has received a major package of equipment from the Food Systems Resilience Program to strengthen border surveillance, disease diagnosis, and trade data collection at Sierra Leone’s key entry points.
The handover, held at the FSRP Office in Pipeline, Freetown, included four motorbikes, diagnostic equipment, high-end computers and printers, office furniture, and stationery.
Support from FSRP includes motorbikes, high-end computers, diagnostic tools, and office equipment to boost surveillance at Freetown Port, Lungi Airport, Gbalamuya and Jendema border posts.
The resources are earmarked for frontline operations at the Freetown Port, Lungi International Airport, the Gbalamuya Border with Guinea, and the Jendema Border with Liberia. Officials say the support will improve the timely detection of pest infestations, contamination, and illegal activities that threaten food security and the national economy.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture II Hon. Sahr Hemore received the items on behalf of the ministry and described the donation as a timely intervention. He noted that border surveillance has long been hampered by limited equipment and mobility constraints, which have delayed detection and response to threats affecting food supplies and trade.
According to Hon. Hemore, the new motorbikes and diagnostic tools will enable officers to conduct faster, surveillance that is more effective and to report incidents promptly for evidence-based decision-making.
Dr. Kepifri Lakoh, FSRP Project Manager, underlined the program’s broader investments in strengthening rice, cassava, and vegetable production across Sierra Leone. He emphasized that robust early warning systems and efficient trade facilitation to be sustainable must match gains in production. Dr. Lakoh said the equipment would support improved trade data collection, enhance diagnosis of zoonotic diseases and pest infestations, and strengthen surveillance systems at border points.
Officials say the intervention will help protect the country’s agricultural gains by reducing import dependency and safeguarding farmer incomes. By improving surveillance and trade facilitation, the ministry and FSRP aim to ensure that increased production of staple crops translates into sustained food availability and economic resilience.
FSRP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in securing borders, ensuring compliant exports, and strengthening surveillance systems that safeguard Sierra Leone’s food security and economy.
