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Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Theresa Tenneh Dick, in a step towards enhancing food security and reducing post-harvest losses, officially handed over a state-of-the-art Solar Cold Storage Facility to vegetable farmers in Koinadugu District on Wednesday.
The initiative aims to address the longstanding challenges faced by local farmers in Koinadugu in preserving their harvests and maximizing their market potential.
Koinadugu District, known for its rich agricultural output, has struggled with inadequate storage solutions, leading to substantial losses for farmers. Notably, the newly commissioned facility is part of the Feed Salone Initiative, which seeks to strengthen the agricultural value chain and promote food sovereignty in Sierra Leone.
During the ceremony, Dr. Dick highlighted the transformative potential of the cold storage solution, stating, “For 35 years, vegetable farmers in Koinadugu have faced persistent challenges in realizing their full potential. Today, we are bridging that gap with this solar-powered cold storage solution. This will empower farmers to preserve their harvests, supply fresher produce to consumers, and secure better incomes—ultimately boosting productivity.”
The event also featured remarks from Yoshimoto Hiroshi, the Ambassador of Japan, who stressed the importance of the facility in supporting the resilience of women farmers. He noted, “The handing over of the Solar Powered Cold Room Storage is very important as it supports the hard work and resilience of women who play a vital role in ensuring food security.” Ambassador Hiroshi also mentioned Japan’s commitment to collaborating with various agricultural projects across Africa, introducing advanced technology to enhance the sector.
The Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Yvonne Forsen, reflected on the project’s inception three years ago, stating that it was driven by a clear ambition to improve food security and climate resilience for smallholder farmers in Sierra Leone. She pointed out that the partnership with the SATAKE Corporation has brought advanced rice milling systems to the country, significantly improving quality and reducing grain losses.
Madam Haja Sundu Marah, leader of the Koinadugu Women Vegetable Farmers Association, expressed her gratitude for the facility, saying, “We have waited decades for the means to reliably supply Freetown’s markets. The government and its partners have delivered; now, we pledge to use this facility to drive the Feed Salone vision forward.”
The project, funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Organization (JIO) Grant, was implemented in collaboration with the WFP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The event concluded with a group photo, unveiling, and a tour of the Solar Storage facility.
