By: Josephine Nyeweah in Kenema district.
As part of the Feed Salone initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) is committed to revitalizing and strengthening Sierra Leone’s cocoa sector. This year, MAFS has convened several consultative meetings with stakeholders to address challenges and explore opportunities for reform.
On November 7, 2024, the Ministry’s Agribusiness and Private Sector Division hosted a one-day stakeholders’ engagement in Kenema. The event aimed to enhance the productivity and profitability of cocoa production, bringing together farmers from Kenema, Kono, and Kailahun Districts alongside government officials and industry experts. Discussions centered on addressing issues related to market linkages, transportation, aggregation, and value addition.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture (II), Sahr Hamore, highlighted the importance of the cocoa sector to Sierra Leone’s economy. “The government is committed to revitalizing the cocoa sector under the Feed Salone Agenda. We must go beyond production and prioritize value addition to improve farmers’ incomes. Through cooperatives, farmers can adopt improved practices, access financing, and establish market linkages to mitigate the challenges of unproductive cocoa farming,” he stated.
Jeneba Alharazim, Director of the Agribusiness and Private Sector Division, emphasized the significance of organizing farmers into cooperatives, a priority under Pillar 3 of the Feed Salone Agenda. She noted that cooperatives empower farmers by improving access to resources, markets, and training, thereby boosting productivity and income.
Matthew M. Kenneh, District Agriculture Officer for Kenema, called for increased production, better cocoa quality, and a focus on value addition. He revealed plans to process raw cocoa into finished products, such as cocoa powder and butter, spearheaded by MOAWOMA Rural Women’s Cocoa Development Corporative in Kenema.
Madam Safinatu Bockarie, District Coordinator for the National Federation of Farmers in Sierra Leone (NaFFSL), described cocoa farmers as the “breadbasket” of Sierra Leone and emphasized their critical role in driving economic growth. She advocated for greater investment in locally grown commodities to enhance food security and reduce import dependency.
Charles Campull, District Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Produce Monitoring Board, encouraged farmers to adopt modern techniques such as fermentation, drying, and proper storage to improve the quality and market value of cocoa. He also underscored the board’s role in connecting farmers to markets and ensuring product standards, concluding his remarks with the slogan, “Cocoa na Money, Money na Money.”
The event concluded with group presentations on cocoa production, processing, aggregation, and marketing. Stakeholders identified key challenges, including limited access to quality seeds and inadequate infrastructure. Solutions proposed included expanding seed programs, providing training opportunities, and fostering private sector investment.
Participants pledged to implement actionable steps to empower farmers and transform Sierra Leone’s cocoa industry under the Feed Salone Agenda.
