AYV News, July 24, 2025
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has on Saturday, 19 July 2025 hosted the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dr. Qu Dongyu at State Lodge, Hill Station, Freetown, in a high-level meeting aimed at deepening cooperation on agricultural transformation and sustainable food systems in Sierra Leone.
Held at the Presidential Lodge on Hill Station, the engagement marked a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s drive to enhance food security, increase agricultural productivity and expand South-South cooperation.
Introducing the FAO delegation, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Musa Kpaka, disclosed that the visit followed a formal invitation extended by President Bio earlier this year during a bilateral meeting in Rome. He noted that the FAO team was in the country to explore avenues for supporting the Government’s agricultural development priorities through inter-ministerial collaboration.
FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu expressed sincere gratitude for the warm welcome extended by President Bio and described the visit as a reflection of the FAO’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Sierra Leone.
“Your Excellency, I am here with my team to honour your invitation,” Dr. Qu Dongyu stated. “We intend to use the remaining two years of my tenure to fully support your Government’s agenda. Your leadership and vision for agricultural transformation in Sierra Leone are compelling and timely.”
He affirmed that his team would engage with key Ministries to identify areas of technical and developmental support aligned with national priorities. The collaboration, he said, is crucial to accelerating the Government’s efforts under the “Feed Salone” initiative.
In his remarks, President Julius Maada Bio warmly welcomed the FAO delegation and conveyed his deep appreciation for their commitment to Sierra Leone.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, I wish to thank you and your team for honouring my invitation. Your presence here demonstrates a shared vision for a stronger agricultural future,” the President said.
He reiterated his Government’s dedication to making agriculture the cornerstone of economic development, job creation and national food self-sufficiency. He stressed the importance of strategic partnerships and technical assistance in achieving the goals of the “Feed Salone” programme.
“Agriculture in Sierra Leone must become an economically viable and investment-attractive sector,” President Bio declared. “Such transformation requires the right technical expertise and international support, which makes this engagement with FAO particularly significant.”
President Bio also recalled his earlier meeting with Dr. Qu Dongyu in Rome, where he made a strong case for increased FAO involvement in Sierra Leone’s agricultural development. He noted that the FAO has historically played an important role in promoting food security and that the renewed partnership would be instrumental in building a more resilient and productive agricultural sector.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to working closely on advancing the Feed Salone agenda and strengthening Sierra Leone’s food systems through innovative and sustainable interventions.
President Bio concluded by highlighting his administration’s unwavering political will to make agriculture the backbone of the country’s economy and expressed confidence that this renewed collaboration with the FAO would yield meaningful and lasting results.
