The slow pace of benefits and riches reflecting on our farmers especially in Sierra Leone is a concern to the distance that reports from the fields have shown the need to point out and stop indiscipline actors that have been frustrating the efforts of investment in the agriculture sector in the country.
During a welcome ceremony by Everybody Must Farm (EMF) Organization members, for a team of ILO consultants both from Switzerland and Sierra Leone on agribusiness on the Sierra Leone-Liberia borders and with representatives of the Mano River Union States, the Founder and President of EMF, Sfano Njawa Sesay, stated that the International Labour Organization (ILO) and The Everybody Must Farm (EMF) Organization partnership implementing the ‘Opportunity Salone Program’ will apply ‘Discipline and Integrity’ among farmers for their own self-reliance and sustainable development.
President Njawa Sesay furthered that investigations have showcased exploitation in the agriculture sector and that the tactical approach of the EMF is helping the European Union funded Opportunity Salone Program led by Zimbabwean born Tonderai Manoto to make an everlasting and positive difference which other countries will study for their own implementation strategies.
The President of EMF encouraged farmers in Kailahun district to work on extensions of their farm sites by growing more Cocoa, Cassava, Oil Palm, vegetables and other foods and that the EMF is doing its best by promoting the need for a multi-purpose storage, processing and packaging facility that will be situated in Mowoto Wayebu, Bumpeh Chiefdom, in Bo district and that will serve as a center for a secured and organized agribusiness for all EMF farmers in Sierra Leone.
According to Ginna Alusine, a female farmer based in Kailahun district, certain organizations of the past have discouraged them to be part of other organizations that are introducing themselves.
She pleaded with the EMF to pass on the message to the ILO and the government of Sierra Leone to be conscious about their sad experiences of the past that has frustrated them in their investments and help make the difference that will boost their efforts.
She furthered that those sad experiences has been directing them to prefer trading their produce for risky exchange in Guinea and Liberia. Adding that they will wish to ensure that Sierra Leone is food self- sufficient and the cost on food items are affordable when organizations share a common understanding with them that will help them in sustainable investment opportunities.
The President of EMF assured the public that the ILO in partnership with the EMF and the government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is doing its best to build entrepreneurship skills and knowledge capacity building among farmers in Sierra Leone.