By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
In a letter addressed to President Julius Maada Bio and sent to Politico, a citizen named Santigie Amara expressed concern regarding the delay in the distribution of fertilizer to farmers in Port Loko for the implementation of the Feed Salone Project.
He noted that as a concerned citizen who has deeply invested in the agricultural sector, he felt compelled to express his disappointment and seek the President’s intervention in the matter. He further stated that the current situation regarding the delayed distribution of fertilizer has severely hampered the progress and effectiveness of the project.
Amara informed the President in the letter that despite the allocated budget and the timely arrival of the fertilizer consignment, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Security, has failed to execute the necessary steps to ensure its prompt distribution to farmers. The delay he said has resulted in not only financial losses for the farmers but also a significant setback in the implementation of the project, which directly affects the nation's food security.
He pointed out that the consequences of the delay are multifaceted and far-reaching, saying farmers, who rely on the timely availability of fertilizer to optimize crop yields, are experiencing severe financial constraints due to the inability to fertilize their fields at the appropriate time.
“This delay jeopardizes their livelihoods, agricultural productivity, and their ability to contribute to the overall economic development of our nation,” he said.
He noted that the delay undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the Feed Salone Project, thereby eroding public trust in the government's commitment to agricultural development. He said it is disheartening to witness the hopes of farmers being dashed as they await the necessary resources to fulfill their responsibilities and contribute to the nation's prosperity.
Amara requested the President’s immediate intervention in the matter, saying it is imperative that swift action is taken to rectify the situation and ensure the timely distribution of fertilizer to farmers. He urged the President to investigate the reasons behind the delay and hold the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Security accountable for what he said amounted to negligence and mismanagement leading to the unfortunate situation.
He said that strengthening oversight mechanisms, streamlining processes, and establishing clear accountability frameworks within the Ministry will help prevent the recurrence of such issues and ensure the efficient execution of agricultural programmes for the benefit of farmers and the nation as a whole. He expressed confidence that under President Bio’s leadership, the agricultural sector will thrive, and the nation will achieve food security and sustainable development.
Amara stated that the project holds tremendous potential to uplift the farming community, increase yields, and ensure sustainable food production. He commended the government for its continued efforts to boost agricultural productivity and food security through initiatives like the Feed Salone Project.
According to the Coordinator of the National Federation of Farmers Ya Alimamy Haja Sesay, they have so far received a consignment of 1000 (one thousand) bags of fertilizers in August with 400 more remaining. She stated that they as Master Farmers normally receive their fertilizer supply from the Ministry at the Youyi Building, Freetown while small-scale farmers receive theirs at the district level. She ended by claiming that the proposed 1,400 consignment of fertilizers will not be enough for farmers.
The District Agriculture Officer (DAO) for Port Loko district, Charles A. Bangura noted that the fertilizer distribution for the region has started but was halted by the Minister of Agriculture as he was not satisfied with the process. He said they have submitted a list of beneficiaries to the ministry and are now waiting for approval before sending the fertilizer to the provinces.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (29/09/23)
