The project is supported by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, and is part of the government’s initiative to encourage the agriculture sector to increase local food production and lower imports.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry said: “Our vision is to build one of Western Africa’s largest poultry projects which will help us in our efforts to improve nutrition, create new jobs and increase reliance on local production.”
“We are happy to cooperate with leading companies such as Agrotop and ISA to build a model project that will improve overall welfare.”
Deputy Minister of Finance Patricia N. Laverley added, “We view this as a very important project on a national level. “We are fully committed to its success and will provide all the required financial guarantees.”
The project, which is expected to grow 720,000 birds per year, is comprised of six-layer houses, two pullet houses, an egg-packing center, feed mill and field crop. The farm is expected to create 2,000 new jobs.
As part of the agreement, Agrotop and ISA will also build a community medical center, a school and a water purification system which will provide clean water to 25,000 citizens.
The new farm will be constructed within two years, and Agrotop and ISA will continue to provide management and knowledge transfer services for ten years.
“We are happy to partner with the new government in realizing the vision of building one of the most advanced poultry farms in Africa,” said Raphael Israel, ISA group president.
“Our partnership brings together years-long experience and excellent relations with both government and local community. By joining forces with an experienced and reliable company such as Agrotop, ISA is well positioned to successfully complete this project,” said the ISA group president
“Sierra Leone has the ideal conditions for large-scale farming projects and I am sure that the farm will serve as a model for future projects in Sierra Leona and neighboring countries,” he added.
The farm will supply the entire needs of Sierra Leone’s population for accessible and low-cost protein and will export eggs to nearby countries. According to a report published in 2016 by Sierra Leone Opportunities for Business Action (SOBA), the country imports 168 million eggs a year and only about 10 percent of total local egg consumption is currently supplied by domestic poultry production.
