The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Professor Monty Jones, His deputy Minister Marie Jalloh and team visited farmers in Bombali District last weekend where he handed over two cheques of one hundred millions each (Le100,000,000) to the National Association of Farmers Federation in Sierra Leone (NAFFSL) and Sierra Leone Women’s Farmers Forum (SLEWOFF).
Handing over the cheques, the Minister said that his ministry is very determined to improve agriculture in the country so that the country can be food sufficient.
Professor Jones averred that the Presidents Recovery Priorities is very important in the next 24 months, so that agriculture can be of utmost importance in food delivery as well as job creation.
The cheques were presented to these umbrella organisations that coordinate and drive the activities of the farmers and the members of these groups are all farmers.
The District Council Chairman, the Paramount Chief and some Members of Parliament in Bombali District were there, all making statements to push the farmers to do more as they have been blessed to have such a minister who is determined to work with them as well as supporting them financially.
After their successful meeting in Makeni, the Ministers and team went to Koinadugu where they met with vegetable farmers, who were led by Haja Sundu Marah.
Professor Monty Jones again commended them for their good job and urged them to do more as the city depends largely on their vegetables.
He said the government will continue to support them in their drive to double their production.
He presented a cheque of twenty five million Leones (Le 25,000,000) to them and urged them to use the money wisely so that even the President will be happy and will contionue to meet their needs. He then handed over the cheque to Haja Sundu Marah.
On behalf of her fellow farmers, she thanked the Minister and his team and promised that they will increase production and use the money equitably so that the Minister will not be disappointed with them.
The Minister made a policy statement that 80% of all devolved funds from Government of Sierra Leone to Agriculture .i.e. the District Agricultural Office should be given as support to the farmers.
Professor Monty Jones emphasised on the use of the Community Banks as they were created to support the farmers. He urged them to make use of the banks so that they will be operational.
The Minister made rounds again to make sure that the farmers received seeds, and fertilizers that have been distributed. “We should make sure that we double or triple production and productivity. All this will tie up with the Presidential Post Ebola Recovery 24 month Strategy and to create 10,000 jobs along the agricultural value chain.”
Prof. Patrick Monty Jones and his team went to see how ADDAX Company could start full Operation again. ADDAX, which has the capacity to supply about 30 MW of electricity, supports over 10,000 farmers as out growers for cassava.
In 2015 ADDAX exported seven million litres of ethanol which is approximated at $4 million. The company’s project out put was disappointing as they projected to yield 21 million litres.
Due to the wrong SugarCane that was planted, the yield was very low, which led to downsizing of staff and almost closing the project.
However, the Minister has intervened and modalities are now in place to keep the company running.
Tuesday July 19, 2016
ADVERTISEMENT