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In the National Budget presented by Minister of Finance Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, the government of Sierra Leone has secured a substantial sum of eight hundred million United States Dollars from various stakeholders to support the implementation of Feed Salone, President Bio’s flagship initiative in his second term in office.
Minister Bangura announced that BADEA has pledged up to two hundred and fifty million United States Dollars (US$250m) for the development of the Integrated Rice Industrial complex in Tormabun, while OPEC has committed two hundred and thirty million United States Dollars (US$230m) for energy and cluster developments.
Additionally, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura highlighted that the African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged one hundred million United States Dollars (US$100m) to support the development of rice clusters in Kychum and Mambolo Agroecological zones.
Explaining the objectives of the significant funding commitments from various organizations, Minister Bangura emphasized that the funds will be utilized to develop 12,250 hectares of inland valley swamps and riverine grassland to enhance rice production. Furthermore, the funds will be used to construct 275km of feeder roads to improve market access.
Overall, the government of Sierra Leone is poised to leverage these financial resources to drive sustainable agricultural and infrastructural development, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of the nation.
The Minister announced that the funds will be allocated towards the completion of four rural bridges in Tompari, Manowa, Mattru, and Gendema. Additionally, a high-end poultry feed mill plant will be established in Bo district to enhance breeding quality. The project will also involve the establishment of 800 hectares of cacao and 821 hectares of bulb onions plantation.
Furthermore, the Minister emphasized that the funds will be utilized to leverage Information Communication Technology (ICT) to register a minimum of 50,000 farmers nationwide into a biometric national farmers register for easier access to agricultural inputs and services. Sheku F. Bangura also mentioned that the project will distribute six tons of soybeans and four tons of maize foundation seeds received from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to enhance the availability of quality seeds in the country.
The government is also in the process of introducing a new insurance product to safeguard farmers against climate change risks and crop failure, providing a safety net for agricultural investments. The ongoing digital soil mapping initiative aims to optimize land use and provide valuable data to farmers.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka has assured local farmers of the government’s unwavering support by providing more tractors, combine harvesters, seeds, and other equipment to boost yields compared to the bumper harvest experienced in some parts of the country this year.
Dr. Kpaka expressed his desire for local farmers to prosper and become prosperous individuals, attracting further private investment in the agricultural sector.
Another big cake for Bio and his corrupt cronies. A huge amount of money was also agglomated for the so-called Free and Quality Education but unto date our Educational system remains the poorest among our sisters countries due to corruption within this government. We stay glue to see how this government is going to handle the feed nation programme also 🙄
The Feed Salone initiative is also another fake and scam program by this government.My question is how can this government Feed the people of Salone even there family members are living in adjective poverty, they are busy building and buying cars for there side chick with something that is meant for the masses.