Many stakeholders, who witnessed the launch of the jaw-dropping, harvest of the Faith Healing Agricultural Development Organisation (F.H.D.O) rice yield this year, have rated it as a model for ‘feed salone’.The (106) acres rice farm at Royanka village out of the total of (306) acres rice planted this year, (60) acres corn, (14) acres groundnut and a poultry of about five thousand (5,000) chickens currently at Yainkasa village, has created jobs for locals in the surrounding villages with seven women farmer-groups forming the major beneficiaries of not just the farm but also a microcredit scheme providing cash for six (6) villages such as Gbomsamba, Royeama, Woreh Yeama, Yainkassa, Royanka and Maronkoh in northern Sierra Leone.
Speaking to the press, the Director of F.H.D.O, Pastor Francis A. M. Mambu, a renowned preacher/farmer who hailed from Kailahun said the reason why the rice farm did so well this year is that farming is about timing, and that when you get the timing right, the result will be an expected one. “I feel fulfilled as this is my dream for my country; I see this as an opportunity to serve my country, and my dream is that one day F.H.D.O will be in every district and chiefdom, to make life better for the poor people of this country,” Pst. Mambu stated.
A farm with huge growth opportunities, processing and marketing of domestically produced rice, vegetables and poultry which also serves as great support to local farmers in over 500 households, has now ventured into mushroom farming for local and international market.
“A call on the government of Sierra Leone and other pertinent stakeholders for support in order to enable them do more, in realizing its vision to move locals away from managing poverty towards an improved nutritional status and cash income, whilst supporting food security.”
Pst. Mambu, a food security Ambassador, also underscored the financial, machinery challenges and other needs of the farm project, while thanking God and recognizing the support of good friends from Ken Royal Foundation, represented by Jeff Fisher, B.W.A and all the people supporting the farm.
Present at the launching of the rice harvest, was the District Agriculture office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Jane Fea Kabba-Sei, who expressed satisfaction at the quality and quantity of the bumper harvest of the farm, as she encouraged Pst. Mambu to continue, noting that this is the drive to feed ourselves in Sierra Leone.
Jeff Fisher speaking on-behalf of Ken Royal Foundation, one of the organizations supporting the farm presently, expressed his fulfillment at what he saw at the farm harvest this year and pointed out they would continue to support the farm as long as Pst. Mambu continues in such drive, which lasting effect is to feed people.
It’s no surprise that a farm project which started from scratch with absolutely no external support from government or any organisation, with basic farm tools such as hoe and cutlass could today be given such ratings.
