His excellency the President Julius Maada Bio has vowed to use agriculture has an engine for economic growth. The Ministry of Youth Affairs in order to practicalize his Excellency’s Policy Statement established four new farms in Tonkolili, Kono, Kenema and Koinadugu, engaging 450 youth farm workers in 2019 as a first step to make the President’s vision a reality. There was only one youth farm at Masalia, Port Loko district with 50 workers with the advent of the new administration,
His Excellency the President Julius Maada Bio pronounced that His government will support the Ministries of Youth Affairs, Defense, the Correctional Services and the Local Councils to establish Institutional Farms across the country as part of the drive to boost rice production and achieve rice self-sufficiency in the country thereby reducing the much needed foreign exchange spent annually on the importation of rice. It is against this backdrop that the Ministry of Youth Affairs through the Youth in Agriculture project has embarked on a ten-day tour together with the Honorable Deputy Minister and team. As a drive in the New Direction’s approach to meaningful national development and restructuring the Farm Management Team in five districts; providing rice seeds and fertilizers thereby preparing youth for Mechanized Farming.
With the arrival of 100 tractors in the country in partial fulfillment of His Excellency’s Presidential commitment to alleviate poverty and empower youth, this will definitely ensure the socio-economic and political transformation process. Further to this, the Youth in Agriculture Project has engaged the relevant stakeholders in Kenema district ahead of identification, mobilization and sensitization of youths for the Chiefdom Youth Farms rice production.
The thrust of the project in this regard is to encourage youths in agricultural production especially rice. Provide long term skilled training knowledge in agro-based technology and secure viable job opportunities that will empower them to become less vulnerable and be useful citizens.
Watch out for full update on the tour…
Trust the New Direction process.
