A delegation from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), led by the Country Director for Sierra Leone and Liberia, Ms Pascaline Barankeba, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) on 3rd September 2024. The meeting occurred at the Ministry’s conference hall in Youyi Building, Freetown.

The visit was to conduct a routine supervision mission to assess the progress of the Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (AVDP), which MAFS implements in collaboration with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the Sierra Leone Meteorological Department, and the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI). The project, set to conclude in September 2025, has seen the government request an additional two-year extension to address ongoing challenges.

In her remarks, Ms. Barankeba highlighted the importance of the visit in evaluating field operations and identifying obstacles to project success. She emphasized the need for a strategic shift to enhance
project outcomes, including transforming agriculture into a viable business sector and focusing on Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) cultivation in the upcoming year.

The Acting Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Theresa Tenneh Dick, welcomed the IFAD team, acknowledging the organization’s longstanding support, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. She praised the progress made at project sites and called for increased support for women and youth to bolster their involvement in agricultural activities.

Dr Dick’s appeal underscored the importance of empowering women and engaging young people in the agricultural sector to ensure sustainable development and the successful implementation of the AVDP.

Source: Sierra Leone News Agency