AYV News, September 4, 2024
The office of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), is currently participating in the ongoing Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, where it is wooing investors.
Peter M. Kaindaneh, Chief Technical Adviser of PI-CREF, delivered a presentation titled: “Sierra Leone: Country Progress – Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation”. This presentation underscored Sierra Leone’s accomplishments under the ‘Feed Salone’ program, which is dedicated to revolutionizing agriculture to secure food and bolster economic resilience.
He stated that, the program has employed a whole-of-government approach, leveraging the full engagement of PI-CREF, and has successfully secured over $800 million in international funding, including $250 million from BADEA for the Rice Industrial Complex in Tormabum.
Mr. Kaindaneh informed the Forum that, “notable achievements include a 60% increase in rice cultivation, the establishment of critical irrigation infrastructure, and the formation of strategic partnerships with countries such as Korea, China, and Vietnam.
Additionally, the program emphasizes the empowerment of women and youth, enhanced access to financial resources, and the advancement of digital agricultural solutions. These initiatives, he said, will contribute to Sierra Leone’s overarching goal of achieving a 10% annual growth in agriculture by 2028, fostering sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged $100 million for one of the country’s special agro-processing zones.
Director, Food Security and Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation, Dr. Patrick Kormawa participated in a side session on the topic, ‘Gender Responsive Approaches Driving Food Transformation’ organised by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), CABI, Global Solutions Initiative and Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition.
The session aims to highlight priority policy area for fostering gender-equitable and inclusive food systems transformation in Africa, among others. Dr. Kormawa underscored the role PI-CREF has been playing in coordinating with different sectors in terms of improving policies that aim to inclusive food systems transformations.
Dr. Juliana Vangahun, Rice Specialist at PI-CREF, is also part of the delegation to Kigali. The team is led by Dr. Monica Sengbeh, the Chief Minister, supported by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka.