By alusinerehme.wilson@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Sahr Hemore, Deputy Minister II of Agriculture and Food Security in Sierra Leone, joined representatives from the European Union and private sector investors to officially hand over a state-of-the-art multifunctional processing centre for Orange-fleshed Sweet Potatoes to the people of Matotaka Village, in Bombali District, Northern Sierra Leone.
The facility, constructed by Mankind Activities for Development Accreditation Movements (MADAM) with support from the European Union and the Sierra Leonean government, is aimed at improving the processing capacity of Orange-fleshed Sweet Potatoes and enhancing the livelihoods of local farmers in Bombali and surrounding areas.
This initiative forms part of the broader project, “Improving the Livelihoods of Sweet Potato Farmers through Crop Post-Harvest Innovation Systems,” which, according to Deputy Minister Hemore, aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to bolstering the country’s food security.
Hemore expressed gratitude to the European Union Mission in Sierra Leone and MADAM for their innovative approach to supporting local farmers. He further emphasized the government’s continued commitment to promoting agricultural production, food security, and branding within the country. He encouraged the farmers to fully utilize the new facility and to explore creative strategies to enhance market access for their processed products, ultimately boosting local content and food availability.
Edward Conteh, Head of Programs at MADAM, described the event as a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to improve the production and processing of Orange-fleshed Sweet Potatoes through the “AGROTECH” project, funded by the European Union Mission in Sierra Leone. Conteh expressed optimism that the new processing centre would empower farmers in Matotaka Village, enabling them to increase their production and processing capabilities while supporting the government’s goal of achieving food security.
On behalf of the farmers and private sector investors, Madam Sento Kamara and Mr. Edwin A.J. Turay from BEE NET Agribusiness thanked the donors for their support and commitment. They pledged to maximize the potential of the facility and called on the government and its partners for further assistance, particularly in strengthening regulations around local content in the market.
With the processing centre now operational, Matotoka Village becomes the first community in Bombali District and the third in Northern Sierra Leone—after Kambia and Tonkolili—to advance the processing of Orange-fleshed Sweet Potatoes. This development marks a significant step toward improving agricultural practices and food security in the region. ARW/21/11/2024
