By Tamba Tengbeh
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, formally announced the commencement of this year’s planting season (Mechanical rice cultivation) in Torma Bum on Friday on March 15, 2024. The event convened agricultural stakeholders, farmers, and representatives of agribusiness companies.
The symbolic launch aims to initiate the nationwide implementation of Feed Salone, while also emphasizing the pivotal role of farmers in advancing the government’s flagship program.
Before the Feed Salone field operation was launched, Minister Kpaka expressed excitement upon observing the commencement of ploughing activities in Torma Bum and commended the efforts of private sector players to revitalize rice production in the area, a priority within the government’s strategy. Emphasizing rice as the primary pillar of the Feed Salone Strategy, he urged concerted efforts to restore Torma Bum’s status as the leading rice hub. He added that in farming time is of essence, and urged all to respect that to avoid delays.
Minister Kpaka disclosed that 2200 hectares of rice farms will be cultivated in Torma Bum this year, with the Regional Rice Value Chain Project and the Rice Agro Industry Cluster undertaking 1000 and 1200 hectares, respectively, for this planting season.
He reiterated the government’s readiness to support farmers, stressing the importance of utilizing the provided resources, including seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals. Additionally, Minister Kpaka addressed the challenges posed by the deplorable road conditions to Torma Bum, revealing ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Finance to secure funding for road construction from Koribondo to Torma Bum. This infrastructure development initiative aims to stimulate economic growth and attract more foreign investment to the chiefdom.
Dr.Kandeh K. Yumkella, Chairman of the President’s Initiative for Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, highlighted the abundant arable land in Torma Bum, particularly suited for rice production—an asset he claimed surpasses any he has observed elsewhere in the country, including his hometown of Samu Chiefdom in Kambia District.
He emphasized that the initiative’s mandate is to ensure the fulfillment of all promises made by the president, pledging rigorous monitoring of project activities to guarantee their proper execution and equitable distribution of resources to farmers.
Yatta Sama, President of the National Federation of Farmers Sierra Leone (NAFFSL), advocated for robust monitoring of agricultural activities in the chiefdom. She affirmed that NAFFSL would conduct field monitoring to gain insight into the challenges faced by farmers, ensuring that their concerns were addressed effectively. Madam Sama also assured the agricultural stakeholders gathered of their readiness to contribute to the success of Feed Salone.
Welcoming the minister and other agricultural stakeholders to the chiefdom, Paramount Chief Alex Kaipumu of Bum Chiefdom, Bonthe District, expressed excitement about the community’s readiness to support the ‘Feed Salone’ initiative, given Torma Bum’s status as one of the country’s rice bowls. PC Kaipumu emphasized that for the initiative to take root in Torma Bum, road infrastructure must be improved to attract more investors to the chiefdom.
Abdulai Bun Wai, the Project Coordinator of the Regional Rice Value Chain Project, disclosed that the project operates in three chiefdoms: Mambolo, Samu, and Bum. He noted that the project constructed warehouses and marketstores for women in Torma Bum. Additionally, the project procured four integrated mill machines—two for Torma Bum and two for Kambia district—to aid in rice production, with a capacity of 15 tons per day.
Mr. Bun Wai further mentioned that, in the upcoming days, the project will hand over the site to Pavifort Company for the construction of irrigation infrastructure in Torma Bum, including the construction of the road from Victoria to Manokoiganya, aiming to boost rice production and productivity. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the five-year project, which is co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank, Arab Bank for Economic Development, and Government of Sierra Leone.
John Paul Sinah, the Program Manager of the Sierra Leone Rice Agro Industry Cluster (SL-RAIC), revealed that the project encompasses four components, funded by the African Development Bank and the Government of Sierra Leone. One of these components focuses on enhancing rice production with support provided to smallholder farmers in the form of certified seeds, fertilizers, agro-mechanicals, and machine services. Additionally, 1200 ha will be irrigated as part of this effort, complementing the initiatives of the Regional Rice Value Chain Project and contributing to increased rice production.
Some farmers expressed hope and excitement to work with companies to support the Feed Salone implementation strategy.
