Agriculture Ministry Trains Over 150 Facilitators to Strengthen Livestock Farming
Sahid Bangura The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), through its Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP), has trained more than 150 Livestock Farmer Field School (L-FFS) facilitators from 11 project districts to improve livestock farming practices and support rural livelihoods.
The two-week training programme was designed to equip facilitators with practical knowledge and teaching skills to help livestock farmers improve animal health, strengthen husbandry practices and increase productivity in their communities.
The training was conducted in two sessions. Facilitators from Bo, Moyamba, Pujehun, Kenema and Kailahun attended the first session in Bo from October 12 to 17, while participants from Bombali, Port Loko, Koinadugu, Kono, Tonkolili and Falaba took part in the second session in Makeni from October 19 to 24.
During the programme, participants received training in animal husbandry, livestock health and participatory teaching methods. The sessions combined field demonstrations, group work and practical problem-solving exercises to prepare facilitators to deliver hands-on learning to farmers.
Under the Farmer Field School approach, livestock farmers will learn by doing, test different practices on their own animals and share experiences and solutions with other farmers. The facilitators are expected to establish and lead L-FFS groups in their respective districts, extending the training’s benefits to farming communities.
Speaking at the opening of the Bo session, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Ing. Bryan Smart-Kanu, linked the initiative to the Government’s Feed Salone agenda and efforts to reduce reliance on imported food.
“A country can never be independent if we continue to get our feeding from overseas,” Smart-Kanu said, urging the facilitators to apply their newly acquired skills directly in their communities.
The initiative is expected to help farming households improve livestock health, strengthen production, increase income and enhance access to nutritious food.
Through the LLDP, the Ministry aims to strengthen livestock farming capacity and support the Government’s broader efforts to improve domestic food production and livelihoods.
