As part of several engagements with development partners on the Feed Salone Agenda, the Government of Sierra Leone has mobilized over one hundred million dollars to support livestock development in Sierra Leone.

They made this disclosure during the signing ceremony of the financing agreement of the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project between the government of Sierra Leone, represented by the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture and Food Security, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Wednesday, 6th November 2024, at the main Conference Hall of the Ministry of Finance George Street Freetown.

In his statement, the Regional Director of IFAD, Bernard Hien, commended the President, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, for his vision and strong commitment to feeding Sierra Leone through the’’ Feed Salone Initiative’’.

He noted that this symbolic signing marks a milestone in the investment for this nation and its people through strengthening engagement to advance food security, reduce poverty and build resilience in Sierra Leone’s rural communities.

He further stated that he is pleased to see the strategic alignment of the project with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Plan for 2024-2030 as well as the ‘’Feed Salone’’ Flagship Programme.

Bernard Hien highlighted that Sierra Leone is a net importer of livestock products of about 60% of poultry, 50% of eggs and 90% of pork, which he said the Livestock and Livelihood Development Project (LLDP) is to reverse and is to substitute the import.

He continues to state that the livestock sector has not yet benefited from a major public investment project despite its huge potential, with a share of agricultural expenditure around 2%, of which only 0.12% of this share goes to the livestock sector.

In the next eight years, this project will reach over 62,000 households and benefit 373,000 individuals with a gender-transformative and youth-sensitive approach, ensuring that at least 40% of beneficiaries are women and 30% are youths, including persons with disabilities.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Theresa Tenneh Dick, registered her sincere gratitude to IFAD for the Livestock Livelihoods Development Project as the flagship project in the livestock sector.

She noted that this partnership will benefit Sierra Leone’s economy by providing essential sources of livelihood for farmers, particularly women and youth, enhancing nutritional status and increasing income for many families, especially in rural areas.

Dr Tenneh Dick stated that this alliance will significantly contribute to achieving Sierra Leone’s broader agricultural and economic objectives, including food security, rural development, poverty reduction and the creation of sustainable jobs for the growing population.

She stated that the project will cost around $105.5m, of which IFAD, OFID and Islamic Development Bank will provide $30m each, Heifer International will contribute $0.6m, and GoSL $9.16m through tax and duty exemption.

The Minister of Finance, Sheku Fanta Madi Bangura, thanked the partners IFAD, OFID, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and others for supporting the government, stating that these pledges were made during the Vienna round table discussions.

He emphasised that the project will reduce the importation of eggs, meat, chickens, etc, and it will be implemented in eight districts in the Country to improve livelihoods through targeted support for livestock production enterprise development and institutional strengthening.

Minister Bangura also stated that the Ministry of Agriculture will serve as the lead implementation agency with a steering committee comprised of the Ministries of Finance, Trade and Industry and Youth Affairs.

The project will provide beneficiaries with access to technical and agribusiness training, veterinary and advisory services, and improved inputs.

The restocking and flock-building component will include livestock breeds to boost production and productivity.

©MoF Communications