By Richmond B. Tholley
The District Agriculture Officer of Tonkolili has on Friday, September 6th, 2024, on behalf of the Agriculture Ministry led a delegation of Agriculture Officers in Yoni Mamaila Chiefdom to inspect the one hundred hectares of rice farm owned and cultivated by Paramount Chief Bai Sebora N’theleh III.
In his own effort to complement the Government of Sierra Leone “Feed Salone” project and promote food security and sufficiency, PC Sebora N’theleh III is currently engaging in massive rice farming.
It’s on that backdrop that Madam Jane Fea Kabba Sei, the District Agriculture Officer, said she and her team visited the farm site to ensure the Agriculture Ministry and Government of Sierra Leone support the Paramount Chief’s laudable venture. As the line ministry responsible for agriculture, Madam Sei said the entire Agriculture Ministry and the Government of Sierra Leone are impressed by the Chief N’theleh’s agricultural moves in Yoni Mamaila Chiefdom.
“With such a huge agricultural development, the Agriculture Ministry and, by extension, the government are pleased that the Feed Salone project is succeeding and gaining momentum,” the District Agriculture Officer said.
While at the farm, the team walked around the entire farm to inspect and ascertain whether the rice wasn’t affected by pests. Madam Sei said she’s visiting bigger farms and private farmers in her operational area of Tonkolili District to ensure. At the end of her tour, she said she recommended to the government through the Agriculture Ministry for support to farmers who needed support the most. This, she said, is a way the government is also supporting local and subsistence farmers.
For PC Sebora N’theleh’s hundred Hecters rice farm, Madam Sei said she’s not only impressed but will also recommend that the government support the Paramount Chief because he’s doing a great job. Having walked around the farm, she said the Paramount Chief needs fertilizer, combine harvesters, storage facilities, and among other agricultural equipment.
Lastly, she thanked the Paramount Chief and his team for what she said was marvelous work done.
Expressing happiness, Paramount Chief Bai Sebora N’theleh III said that the government is recognizing his effort and he’s ready to do more in the coming farming season. The hundred Hecters rice farm, he is a complement to President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five agenda.
He urges other traditional and local authorities to also engage in agriculture for sustainable development in the country.
