The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Professor Monty Jones has met with the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture on their invitation to discuss the way forward on agriculture in Sierra Leone. The meeting was held in one of the committee rooms on Tuesday 19th July.
The minister informed the committee that since he took office five months ago he has been able to put together projects that will enhance food security in the country.
He said these companies have signed Memorandums Of Understanding (MOU) with companies to do rice production and poultry across the country. The Minister said these companies after signing the MOU have gone back to prepare and come back to start operations in the country.
“I want to inform you all that the quantum of foreign exchange expended to import rice and onions are unprecedented and we must reduce it drastically in the coming years.”
The Minister said when these companies across the country start production, Sierra Leone will be in a better position to curb food insecurity and to help bring quality food to the people.
The Minister of Agriculture who was in Parliament with his team said they are working in accordance with the Presidents Recovery Priorities to make sure they produce enough food for the country as well as create about 10,000 jobs for Sierra Leoneans.
Professor Monty Jones averred to the Honourable House that he is focused on production and productivity through commercialisation and it should all be inline with the Presidential Post Ebola Recovery Priorities in creating 10,000 New jobs along the agriculture value Chain.
The Minister emphasised on eradicating the importation of our staple Food (rice) and give support to our farmers to become commercially viable farmers.
The Committee members were very happy with his presentation and they said they will support him to achieve his dreams and make the country strong in producing its own food.
Friday July 22, 2016
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