FAO Rep Warns Govt Of Over Reliance On Donor Support To Achieve Food Sufficiency

By Sahr Ibrahim Komba
The Assistant FAO Representative in charge of Programs Harding Wuyango has warned the government of Sierra Leone not to rely solely on donor support if the country wants to achieve food sufficiency.
He made these remarks during a high-level validation workshop aimed at reviewing and endorsing the findings of an expert study on agri-processing, aggregation, and market linkages under Pillar 3 of the Feed Salone Strategy which brought together key stakeholders in the Sierra Leone agriculture sector.
He reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to building sustainable food systems in Sierra Leone and noted that the study identifies critical gaps, particularly in energy access for processing and milling. “We must not continue to rely solely on donor support if we are serious about achieving food sufficiency,” he warned.
Echoing similar sentiments, European Union representative Federico Copurio acknowledged Sierra Leone’s untapped agricultural potential and called on all stakeholders to support value chain development. “The EU has invested significantly in the sector and expects to see tangible progress toward national food security,” he said.
The workshop which marks a crucial step in transforming the country’s agriculture sector through evidence-based interventions, was organized by the Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS).
The baseline study under review provides a comprehensive overview of Sierra Leone’s agribusiness value chains, with a specific focus on processing infrastructure, aggregation systems, and market linkages which are key areas essential to building resilient and productive food systems.
Speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of SLeCAD Mr. Ahmed K. Nanoh emphasized the urgent need to empower smallholder farmers through access to machinery, energy, and better infrastructure. “Most processing facilities lack access to electricity, with only 3% utilizing renewable energy and 75% having no energy access at all,” he stated. He added that the long distances between farms and processing centers mostly 20 to 30 miles on poor roads further undermine farmers’ productivity and market access.
Mr. Nanoh called on the government and development partners to invest in feeder roads and energy solutions to boost processing and marketing capacities. “There is a pressing need to empower our local farmers not just with resources, but with skills training and access to finance whether through loans or credit facilities,” he said.
He cited the example of PC & Sons, a local agribusiness currently producing onions, as a testament to the potential of domestic agriculture to reduce import dependency. He urged the government to support Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to drive the Feed Salone project forward. “We can only achieve Pillar 3 of the Feed Salone Strategy if we build the skills and knowledge base of our local farmers,” he noted.
Speaking at the event, Madam Jeneba Alharazim, Deputy Director of Agribusiness and Private Sector Division at MAFS, highlighted the interdependence of Pillars 1, 2, and 3 of the Feed Salone Strategy. “Aggregation, processing, and marketing are critical for the development of food value chains. With the right skills and infrastructure, our farmers can even begin to export locally produced food,” she said.
She urged both the public and private sectors to increase support for farmers, stressing that agriculture remains a key contributor to Sierra Leone’s GDP and a major source of employment. “The sector holds immense potential, and now is the time to tap into it,” she said, while also commending FAO for its technical and financial support in producing the baseline report.
The validation workshop brought together a diverse mix of participants, including government officials, agribusiness leaders, development partners, and media representatives. Their input will help refine the final study report, guiding strategic actions for the effective implementation of the Feed Salone Strategy.