The Sierra Leone Agribusiness and Rice Value Chain Support Project (SLARiS) has awarded 1.5 billion old leones to 28 small agribusinesses in Moyamba, in the southern part of Sierra Leone.

The six-month training project, designed to build entrepreneurship in agriculture and empower youths through the “Feed Salone Program,” is one of the flagship initiatives of President Julius Maada Bio’s administration.

Speaking at the event, Sahr Hemore, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Security, expressed his satisfaction with the project, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that align with the Feed Salone Program. “Transforming lives is not easy,” he noted, adding that the ministry is working tirelessly to boost agriculture for the country’s betterment. He urged recipients to use the grant wisely, highlighting plans for monitoring their progress to ensure effective implementation of their business initiatives.

Tamba Jumu, Project Manager for SLARiS, explained that in March 2023, the government, with support from the African Development Bank, launched a program to train 1,000 youths in agribusiness and business management skills. This initiative also aimed to provide grants to empower participants to transform lives in their respective communities and districts.

According to Jumu, 400 youths completed the six-month training, but only 28 were selected to receive the grant, amounting to 1.5 billion old leones shared among the winners. He expressed gratitude to the African Development Bank, the Government of Sierra Leone, and the management of Njala University for their support.

Professor Alieu Mohamed Bah, Vice-Chancellor of Njala University, highlighted the project as part of the “Big Five Game Changers” initiative under the Feed Salone Program. He noted that this year alone, the program has significantly increased rice production, with estimates ranging from 60% to 80% of national needs being met. He encouraged the beneficiaries to maximize the grant’s potential and contribute to the nation’s food security goals.

One of the beneficiaries, Mary Koroma, who received a cheque of NLe82,910.24, expressed her gratitude to the Government of Sierra Leone, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Security. Koroma, who has been engaged in pig farming for several years, described the training as challenging yet rewarding. “The six months were tough, with both theoretical and practical lessons in farm management and animal science,” she said.

Ansuma K. Turay, another grantee, shared similar sentiments. “The training was difficult, but we persevered to meet all the requirements,” he said. Turay emphasized that most of the 400 participants were farmers committed to contributing to the Feed Salone Program.

Both beneficiaries extended their thanks to President Julius Maada Bio’s government for the support, acknowledging the vital role of the project in transforming their livelihoods and promoting agricultural development in Sierra Leone.