By Francis H. Murray
In an effort to reduce rice importation and increase production in the country by 50%, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, through the Regional Rice Value Chain Project (RRVCP), has engaged key stakeholders in Kambia and Bonthe districts. The reason for the engagement is to identify districts and solicit their support and full participation in the acquisition of the farmland and the expected role of the community and district stakeholders in the implementation of the project.
The engagement, which took place on Saturday, 8th November, also focused on the acquisition of thirty five thousand (35,000) hectares of farmland for the cultivation of rice, marking the commencement of the RRVCP.
The project will be implemented in Samu and Mambolo chiefdoms in Kambia, and Bum Chiefdom in Bonthe.
The $ 34.12 million RRVCP is jointly funded by the Government of Sierra Leone, Islamic Development Bank, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development for Africa (BADEA).
The five-year project is expected to benefit 7,000 farmers: 5000 in Bonthe and 2,000 in Kambia, according to the government.
Giving the background to the project, the Acting Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Abubakarr Karim, noted that President Bio approached the Islamic Development Bank in 2018 for Sierra Leone to be included in the Regional Rice Value Chain Project that is being implemented in five West Africa countries, as part of his commitment to citizens to increase the country’s rice production by improving on the livelihood of farmers.
Karim told the stakeholders that the project would contribute to the reduction of high importation rate of rice and that it would eventually enhance economic growth through improved production and productivity in a sustainable manner through processing and marketing. He went on to note that the two districts have been contributing immensely to the country’s food basket and economy, stressing that not much had been done to discourage the high rate of rice importation into the country.
The Minister added that the new project will support 35,000 farm families by adding value to their rice production, thereby changing the food consumption dynamics.
Karim called on the stakeholders in respective chiefdoms to make the farmland available for cultivation as part of their contribution to the project as it will be supporting the identified beneficiaries with inputs, fertilizers, machinery, and linkage to market.
“The Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has introduced a new policy shift to revamp the agricultural sector; the private sector will be taking over with the introduction of the voucher system for farmers to get their inputs, fertilizer, and machinery through the agro-dealers. The Government has purchased 200 tractors and 250 power tillers to boost the agriculture sector, which will be managed by ring machinery system across the country,” said Karim.
He added that the government will be providing $ 50,000 to support the private sector with a very minimal interest rate to enable them to operate the machinery ring system.
In his overview of the project, Project Coordinator, Abdulai Bun Wai, said it will add value to rice production, processing and marketing, support smallholder farmers through science and technology. He also noted that the project will be rehabilitating the Tormabum rice mill, staff quarters, construction of feeder roads and markets.
According to Karim, an international lender has undertaken to provide $2million additional funding for the project to support youth and women to embark on business opportunities, thereby creating 2,000 jobs in the project areas.
Resident Minister of North-West Region, Haja Istata Abdulai-Kamara, commended President Julius Maada Bio and the Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Foday Yumkella, for extending the project to Kambia, and she called on the youths to embrace agriculture instead of focusing on commercial bike riding.
While they expressed excitement over the project, the stakeholders in Kambia and Bonthe, including the master farmers, promised to support the project and make their farmland available. They also commended the ministry for the support they have been getting.
The baseline survey is expected to commence in the following weeks, with the goal of mapping out sites and also start the registration of beneficiaries.
Copyright © 2020 Politico Online
