The official launching of post-harvest machines and vegetable production kits to farmers has taken place at the Chinese farm compound, along Wahman Abu Road, in kenema city.
The chairman of the Kenema District Council, Patrick Sarmu, did the handing over ceremony of three hauling machines and vegetable production input to three communities in that district. They are Bendu Mamaima, Kpuwabu and Jui Koya.
Ahmed Siaka Koroma, the secretary general of the National Farmers’ Association Sierra Leone (NAFSL), said for agricultural activities to be well established nationwide farmers needed to change their attitude over the handling of agricultural implements.
The district director in the ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, John Lahai, said as the ministry’s activities were now devolved to the local council they were monitoring all agricultural activities closely.
He said communities should also form management committees for monitoring as most of the time the culture of maintenance was lacking.
John Lahai encouraged beneficiaries, especially women and youth, to put more emphasis on the strategies involved in farming for the country to achieve its food security aspirations.
He stated that in providing the rice hauling machines it would help the farmers increase rice production because women farmers would benefit immensely by reducing the task of pounding husk rice.
Mr Lahai also mentioned the need for the rehabilitation of feeder roads, which would help farmers take their produce to urban areas.
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