Bo City, Sierra Leone – April 24, 2025 The National Family Farmers Validation Meeting, organized by the Family Farming Platform in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other partners, concluded successfully at the Pastoral Center, New Gerihun Road, Bo City. The gathering aimed at reinforcing family farming initiatives, a vital sector that contributes over 70% of the world’s food production.
Building a Stronger Family Farming Network
The event attracted over 40 participants, including representatives from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Njala University, World Food Programme (WFP), Helen Keller International, GIZ, civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector entities, city and district councils, WHH, and local farmers.
The meeting focused on finalizing the National Implementation Plan for the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF), ensuring that stakeholders align efforts to enhance food security, sustainable agriculture, and economic resilience for family farmers.
National Action Plan and Implementation Challenges
In 2021, the Family Farming Platform, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, launched the National Action Plan with backing from the FAO, the European Union, and the World Rural Forum. However, according to Mr. Frank Webber, the National Coordinator of Family Farming Platform in Sierra Leone, the country is yet to fully develop the Implementation Plan. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts to ensure sustainability and policy support for the initiative.
Mr. Webber highlighted the historical progression of family farming advocacy, noting that 2014 was declared the International Year of Family Farming, followed by calls for a global Decade of Family Farmers during regional meetings. He explained that despite global recognition and funding, more needs to be done at the national level to drive progress.
Addressing Challenges for Family Farmers
Stakeholders acknowledged several challenges facing family farmers, including limited access to modern tools, climate change, rising costs of seeds and fertilizers, inadequate infrastructure, and unfair market conditions. These hurdles continue to threaten livelihoods and food security across Sierra Leone.
In response, FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), alongside the Sierra Leonean government and development partners, are working to strengthen agricultural capacity through improved access to finance, infrastructure development, climate-smart farming practices, and fair market regulations.
Feed Salone Initiative: Government’s Commitment to Agriculture
The Government of Sierra Leone reaffirmed its support for family farming under the Feed Salone Project, an initiative aimed at boosting local food production for domestic consumption and exports. Officials encouraged all stakeholders to become ambassadors of Feed Salone, recognizing family farming as a core pillar of national development.
Mr. Webber emphasized that Sierra Leone is the second country in West Africa, after The Gambia, to complete its National Action Plan, adding that Brazil, Spain, and Azerbaijan lead global efforts in advancing family farming.
Strategic Recommendations and Future Actions
The meeting featured PowerPoint presentations, led by Dr. Joseph Mbavai, on the origin and structure of the UNDFF in Sierra Leone, alongside discussions on policy development, institutional frameworks, and collaboration strategies for effective implementation.
Key recommendations included:
- Strengthening policy frameworks to make family farming a permanent feature within national agricultural programs.
- Enhancing institutional mechanisms for monitoring and supervision of Family Farming Initiatives.
- Identifying strategic partners for the successful execution of the Family Farming Implementation Plan and UN Decade of Family Farming Initiative.
The workshop concluded with group discussions, stakeholder commitments, and declarations aimed at ensuring family farmers receive the necessary support to thrive, build resilience, and drive Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector forward.