Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio launched the Presidential Council for Delivering the Feed Salone Initiative on October 9, 2023, to revolutionize agriculture in Sierra Leone and ensure food sovereignty, create jobs, reduce hunger, and boost economic growth.
The council, led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Presidential Initiative headed by Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkela, will involve researchers, bankers, farmers, nutritionists, civil society, the private sector, politicians, and others.
President Bio, who committed 10% of the national annual budget to the initiative, said the council's overall objective is to feed Sierra Leone through the implementation of policies and initiatives, enhanced by collaboration with public and private partners.
The President also revealed that the council will incorporate scientific processes to ensure success and deviation from traditional and less successful methods.
President Bio's commitment to agriculture is a welcome development for Sierra Leone, which has a long history of food insecurity. The Feed Salone Initiative has the potential to make a significant difference, but the council will need to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure its success.