9th October, 2013
Dr. Sam Sesay, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, explains the measures adopted by his ministry towards ensuring food sufficiency and commercialisation of the Agricultural sector
It is reported that Sierra Leone has achieved 85 per cent food self-sufficiency rate. What strategies were used in achieving this target?
Frankly, I’m yet to determine that indicator as it involves a lot. In terms of rice, the country’s staple food, we have increased self-sufficiency from about 61 per cent in 2007 to a current over self-sufficiency (over 100 per cent). But we have problems of how to commercialise the processing to supply huge quantities to the market.
Today, we have 193 Agricultural Business Centres, ABCs, with between 1 to 4 in every chiefdom. The supply of rice has increased in the Sierra Leone market. In fact, today, we are the bread basket of the Mano River Union, MRU, countries in West Africa. Every month, 7000 bags of rice, 5000 bags of gari and 10,000 gallons of palm oil leave the Barmoi periodic market in Kambia in the north to neighbouring countries as exports, albeit illegally. There is a similar market trend on the Liberian side. This means that there is a ready market for our products.
We understand that the Agricultural sector is commercialised. How do the ordinary rural people benefit from this scheme?
Before now, hoes, cutlasses and seedlings were given to farmers. Today, rice cutters and threshers, power tillers and tractors are in place, while huge quantities of fertilisers and other agrochemicals have been supplied to farmers.
There is also the introduction of NERICA – New Rice for Agriculture – by a world-renowned Sierra Leonean scientist, Professor Monty Jones, recently appointed Ambassador-at-Large and Special Adviser to our President. This invention is a blend of both Asian and African rice. It has 3 months duration. We have revolutionised production and we have added value through processing. We used to lose 40 to 60 per cent of production due to lack of post-harvest facilities. We now have rice mills, cassava processing machines in all the ABCs in the country. We also facilitate networking farmers to markets through the rehabilitation of feeder roads. So, there is the commercialisation of the whole agricultural value chain of the smallholder farmers, thereby generating immense benefits to them.
Do you have an Agricultural sector relationship with Nigeria?
No. We have made contacts with my Nigerian counterpart, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina. I knew him as Vice-President of Agriculture Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA, set up by Kofi Annan, former United Nations scribe. Livestock is one area we look forward towards establishing a working relationship with Nigeria. For example, we only have five veterinary doctors in the entire country. Vet doctors are critically needed. We also need technical and other support packages from Nigeria.
How does the future look for the Agricultural Sector?
This sector provides 46 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, a quarter of our exports, and two-thirds of our people are engaged in it. So, it is crucial not only to reduce food insecurity but to also to reduce poverty – Millennium Development Goal 1. With our present drive, the future is relatively bright.