By: Foday Ansumana
Greater access to improved groundnut seed in Sierra Leone and in crop management is increasing smallholder productivity and market access in the face of diminishing returns. The drive to achieve national food security received a huge boost with the donation of farm inputs to needy farmers in Lungi.
The consignment comprising bags of groundnuts seeds were handed over to farmers at a brief ceremony held in Lungi.
The inputs were provided under the auspices of GLADEL CHARITY FOUNDATION: a local nonprofit organization that is empowering women in agriculture.
The project seeks to restore and reinforce the livelihoods and productive capacities of food insecure families through increased agricultural production.
Speaking at the event, the project representative, Mr. Mohamed Ahmid Kanu explained that the assistance is meant for some farmers of whom 60 per cent are women.
“The intervention is part of the organization’s support to the government’s quest to achieve national food security”, he added.
Mr. Kanu noted that food security and agricultural development is a top priority for the country, and reiterated the foundation’s commitment to contributing to the attainment of these development goals. He expressed optimism that the gesture, if well managed, would lead to improved crop productivity and increased household income in the target beneficiary communities.
He used the forum to commend the leadership of the organization for funding the initiative and also expressed gratitude for providing the enabling environment with such humanitarian gesture more effectively to carry out its work in the country.
Those who received the consignment on behalf of the community, thanked GLADEL CHARITY FOUNDATION for the benevolent gesture.
Madam Fatmata Turay described the pioneer as a strong and consistent partner. She advised the agriculture extension workers in the Lungi to ensure the farm inputs reach the targeted beneficiaries immediately.
Mr. Abdul Jusu Tucker, a senior staff member of GLADEL also paid tribute for the intervention, describing it as apt and timely. He said the assistance would boost farmers’ morale, and would also go a long way towards the attainment of the initiative. He further urged district authorities and the directorate present to ensure that the inputs are delivered to the targeted beneficiaries, saying that farmers are hard working but the impacts of recurrent shocks have rendered them seed insecure, and thus undermining their farming activities. He said the lack of groundnut seeds is aggravating poverty among vulnerable households, urging the beneficiaries to even start sowing their seeds right away.