POTENTIAL FOR FOOD EXPORTS
Substantial agricultural and fisheries resources are waiting to be exploited

OKERE A. ADAMS Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources

Sierra Leone has substantial resources that could be used both to feed its people and for export, and one of the most important tasks the country faces is that of revitalizing agricultural production and fisheries.
International donors are assisting government efforts to increase food and cash crop production by introducing mechanized and commercial farming, and upgrading the skills of small farmers.

At present, only 20% of the land has been exploited for agricultural purposes. Two-thirds of the population are engaged in subsistence farming, but agriculture accounts for less than 50% of national income. Imports of food commodities like rice and vegetable oil are essential—at a cost of millions of dollars a year.

“Our main objectives are agricultural intensification and diversification outside the traditional crops, such as coffee, cocoa, and oil palms,” says Sama S. Mondeh, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Production of cashew, cassava, and ground nuts is being developed.

The government is working toward a five-year Medium Term Agriculture Strategy Plan. “The total expenditure for this program will be US$207 million over five years, but it will save us US$120 million per year,” says the Minister. “Conservatively, we should be able to make between US$400 million and half a billion per year from agriculture, if the investment is done in a robust way.”

New trucks have been ordered to transport agricultural produce, and improvements are being made to the roads. With U.S. support, the standard of the produce is being raised to internationally acceptable levels for export.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is fostering international cooperation and partnerships with fishing companies from Egypt, Spain, China, and Russia.

The Minister, Okere A. Adams, says, “We are encouraging foreign companies to come and fish, and we can accommodate up to 150 vessels. Before the war we had many more.”

Mr. Adams believes that the amount of fish caught can be increased from 65,000 tons to 200,000 tons over five years. “I am very confident because other countries, unlike Sierra Leone, are over-fished. We have the fish but no boats, while they have the boats but no fish, so we can compliment each other.”
He would like to attract U.S. vessels to Sierra Leone’s waters. “There is an American vessel fishing tuna, and we would like more American involvement.”