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The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has concluded a two-week implementation support mission with a team from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP).
The mission, which ran from May 5 to May 15, 2026, covered key field activities in Kenema District in the east and Bombali District in the north, focusing on strengthening livestock systems and rural livelihoods.
Speaking on the conclusion of the mission, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Henry Musa Kpaka, described the IFAD-supported initiative as a key component of the Government’s “Feed Salone” agenda aimed at boosting national food production and achieving food self-sufficiency.
He referenced President Julius Maada Bio’s recent engagement in Nairobi, Kenya, where the President reportedly described the project to the IFAD President as a critical pillar of Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation drive.
Minister Kpaka also raised concerns regarding counterpart funding and stressed the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of investments made to support smallholder farmers beyond the lifespan of the project.
For her part, the IFAD Country Director for Liberia and Sierra Leone, Madam Pascaline Barankeba, commended the Government of Sierra Leone for its hospitality and cooperation during the mission. She noted that although the exercise was initially planned for ten days, it was successfully extended to ensure comprehensive implementation support.
She explained that IFAD technical experts focused on capacity building in areas such as animal health, livestock production and productivity, as well as marketing systems and related value chain improvements.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Livestock and Veterinary Services Division at MAFS, Mr. Saidu Bamayange, emphasized the need for stronger legislative frameworks in the livestock sector. He raised concerns during field visits, particularly in relation to the increasing movement of livestock and the influx of herders from neighboring countries, including Mali, which he said requires improved regulation.
The mission is expected to strengthen coordination between MAFS and IFAD while enhancing livestock development interventions under the LLDP framework.
