By Ragan M. Conteh

The Minister of Agriculture, Henry Musa Kpaka  on Thursday 24th October 2024, launched a campaign by the Commercial Poultry Farmers Association (CPFA) to promote the sales of eggs and chicken produced in Sierra Leone.

Speaking during the launch at the Radison Blue Hotel in Freetown, the minister said, the local poultry farmers now meet 40% to 50% of the country’s demand for eggs, a significant achievement that has contributed to a 69% reduction in egg imports in Sierra Leone since 2021.

He said the dedication of poultry farmers is seen toward driving self-sufficiency while strengthening local food systems.

He said with a little support from the government and their help, the country could take local poultry farmers to the next level. He urged Sierra Leoneans to choose local eggs and chicken as home food —they’re fresher, healthier, and vital.

Buying them could help to strengthen the country’s economy and food security.

The Agriculture Minister buttressed the point that buying local food is a kind of patriotic act by a consumer.

“When you buy local poultry products, farmers can thrive, attract more resources into the sector, boost production, and, over time, this will lead to lower prices for everyone,” he said.

Henry Musa Kpaka revealed that Sierra Leoneans’ support to buy the homegrown chickens and eggs could help strengthen the farming families and the supply chain in the country.

The Minister pledges government supports to local poultry farmers in staying competitive by providing affordable credit options while investing in veterinary services to improve production efficiency.

He said Sierra Leone had recorded a major reduction in eggs and chicken imports over the past two years, thus signalling a shift towards domestic production. According to Agriculture Minister Henry Musa Kpaka, egg imports declined by 69%, while chicken imports dropped to 61% from 2021 to 2023. These reductions mark, he said, a significant step toward reducing Sierra Leone’s annual $500 million food import bill.

Henry Musa Kpaka, said the reduction in imports is tied to the government’s Feed Salone Initiative (FSI) implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture.

He said the FSI focuses on strengthening local poultry production to meet domestic demand. Speaking at the launch on campaign to promote local eggs sales and chicken consumption, Kpaka lauded poultry farmers for their role in this success.

Francis Fasalay Sesay, the Chairman of the farmers Association spoke on the progress and challenges faced by farmers in Sierra Leone.

He said government intervention is highly solicited to help them.

The Chairman also lamented on how members of the association  had been progressing in terms of eggs productivity in the country.

He urged that government prioritizes the poultry industry and expands sponsorship for more eggs production and for people to become healthier.

The Chairman elaborated on the need for people to limit the buying of the imported eggs as they often lead to health effects when eating.

Other speakers made salient statements regarding the popularization of local poultry industry sales of its products in Sierra Leone.