By: Lansana Fofanah
The government of Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone Program is seriously under threat if immediate action is not taken.
The planting season across the country has started, but the bad impact of loose cow herding has already been felt by farmers.
Over the weekend, over one hundred cows were spotted destroying the 2,500 hectares of rice in the Sierra Tec Agricultural Investment.
Expressing his frustration, the Chief Executive Officer of Sierra TEC, Salieu Kanu, said that while they, as dedicated private investors, remain committed to supporting the Feed Salone agenda, they continue to face grave challenges from cows that have been wreaking untold havoc on their produce.
“Some group of cattle herders is intentionally wreaking havoc on our 2,500 hectares of rice farmland. This destructive behavior is not only undermining the President’s vision for food security but also puts at risk crucial investments aimed at bolstering our agricultural sector,” he said.
Recently, Sierra TEC demonstrated its commitment by investing over $500,000 in essential farm tools, modern machinery, and quality seeds to enhance productivity and ensure sustainable farming practices.
“That initiative, which promises to significantly impact the local economy, was launched with the backing of key figures including the Minister of Agriculture, the presidential spokesman, the resident minister, the paramount chiefs of Makari, and various section chiefs. Despite our efforts to address this issue by notifying the police, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Paramount Chief, and other relevant stakeholders, the situation remains dire and unresolved,” he said.
Sadly, the cattle herders involved are evading accountability, claiming that they have been granted permission by higher authorities to destroy the fields.
According to Mr. Kanu, the defiance escalated recently when the police managed to apprehend some of the cattle responsible, yet the broader issue continues unabated.
“We are reaching out for support and assistance from well-wishers who can help us address this pressing challenge before it completely undermines our agricultural efforts and the livelihoods dependent on them,” Mr. Kanu humbly appealed.
A similar situation is happening in Kamathun village, Biriwa Chiefdom, Bombali district, where the Journalists Against Hunger’s massive farm project is under threat. The planting season has started, but the issue of loose cow herding is derailing every effort to plant in time.
It is very important for the government of Sierra Leone to address this issue before it escalates to riots between farmers and cattle owners, a situation that is happening in other countries.
