Sierra Leone’s ‘Feed Salone Strategy’ aims to improve access to sustainable food through strategic investments in agriculture. Launched in October 2023, it focuses on reducing imports and enhancing local production of key staples. Collaborative efforts from the FAO and EU support its implementation, highlighting the importance of climate finance and market linkages for sustainable agrifood systems.
A transformative initiative is underway in Sierra Leone aimed at enhancing access to locally produced, nutritious food through the ‘Feed Salone Strategy’. This government effort seeks to attract investments to boost agricultural productivity, supporting food security and economic growth. The FAO Investment Centre, in collaboration with FAO/Sierra Leone, is crucial to implementing this strategy.
Establishing a robust framework was essential for transitioning to sustainable agrifood systems. Key contributions include the Sierra Leone Food System Profile (2022), which highlighted opportunities and challenges, and the UN Food System Summit Roadmap (2021), which outlined paths to improved food access.
The launch of the Feed Salone Strategy in October 2023 marks a significant government initiative, built on six strategic pillars aimed at food system transformation. Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture, emphasized the strategy’s goals of reducing food imports, boosting agricultural exports, generating jobs, and enhancing climate resilience across the nation.
The Sustainable Agrifood Systems Intelligence (SASI) initiative, supported financially by the EU, coordinates with FAO and Agrinatura to assist Sierra Leone’s investment in agrifood systems. Alexandre Serres from the EU Delegation affirmed this multi-sector collaboration’s potential to create sustainable impacts in the country.
At the operational level, the FAO’s Investment Centre and local offices are working with the Ministry of Agriculture to focus on market linkages and processing. Investments in rice, poultry, onions, cassava, cashew, and cocoa have been prioritized to enhance local production and import substitution.
FAO is also supporting the development of a monitoring framework for the Feed Salone Strategy, which will measure its impacts on the agrifood system. Understanding and accessing climate finance are additional areas of support being provided to address gaps in stakeholder capacities.
Technical assistance is extended by the FAO Investment Centre in collaboration with other development partners for the successful implementation of Feed Salone. This includes prioritizing interventions linked to EU projects and assisting the Government with livestock sector initiatives.
Sierra Leone serves as a model for maximizing impact via synergies from investment partners, with Alessandro Marini from FAO noting the significance of concrete investments for long-term food security.
Sierra Leone is undergoing significant changes aimed at enhancing food security and stimulating its agricultural sector. The ‘Feed Salone Strategy’ is a response to the critical need for improved agricultural productivity and reliable access to nutritious food. Collaborative efforts from international organizations like FAO and the European Union are instrumental in realizing these goals through various strategic initiatives.
The Feed Salone Strategy aims to transform Sierra Leone’s agrifood systems through strategic investments and collaborative efforts from the government and international organizations. By prioritizing essential crops and enhancing market linkages, it seeks to improve food security, reduce dependency on imports, and foster economic growth. The commitment to sustainable practices will also bolster resilience against climate challenges, ensuring long-term benefits for the national economy.
Original Source: www.fao.org
