WFP Receives New Generous Support from Japan

27 May 2022

Today in Accra, Ghana, the Government of Japan and the United Nations WFP signed an agreement for a contribution of US$3.85 million toward WFP in Sierra Leone. The grant is for strengthening agricultural value chains in Kambia, Kenema, Koinadugu, Moyamba, Pujehun & Tonkolili districts.

The agreement was signed by H.E Mochizuki Hisanobu, the Japanese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, based in Ghana, and the WFP Country Director in Ghana, Barbara Clemens, on behalf of the Country Director, WFP Sierra Leone, Steve Nsubuga

What Ambassador Mochizuki Hisanobu said:

I am pleased that Japan and WFP have the opportunity to build on our previous work to address food security in Sierra Leone, where the livelihoods of many people are dependent on agriculture. This is a valued partnership that we do not take for granted.

Japan recognizes the importance of cooperation in agriculture as a way to reduce poverty and address food insecurity. This is why over the years we have prioritized the improvement of agricultural production through knowledge sharing, experience and grant support in many developing countries.

In the case of Sierra Leone, Japan acknowledges the reliance on agriculture as a source of employment, especially for the rural poor and food security for the growing population. Japan also acknowledges the fact that, despite the significant role the agricultural sector plays in Sierra Leone, there are a lot of challenges that make it difficult for the sector to realize its full potential. In this regard, we are pleased that through this grant WFP can extend various support to farmers in the areas of production, processing, distribution and consumption.

Japan has a long history of promoting efforts in agricultural development in Sierra Leone and Africa at large. Major commitments have been announced at previous TICAD summits to support agricultural development in Africa. Notable among them is the Initiative for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa (IFNA), Coalition for Africa Rice Development (CARD) and other policies aimed at positioning the African farmer at the forefront of agricultural production and productivity. At TICAD 8 to be held in August, agriculture and food security will be one of the priority agendas.

Also, JICA through several technical cooperation projects has helped to improve agriculture in many developing countries including Sierra Leone. Currently, Japan’s private sector is also coming on board and they have collaborated on several agricultural projects in Africa where they have introduced Japanese expertise and technology to boost the sector. It is refreshing to know that WFP has plans of partnering with Japanese companies on this project as well. All these initiatives show Japan’s determination to make sure our partners including Sierra Leone are equipped with the necessary capacity to boost production in the agricultural sector and open opportunities for smallholder farmers.

Let me add that, Japan focuses its development cooperation on people, especially those liable to be vulnerable. In this regard, this project is relevant to Japan’s Overseas Development Assistance in the sense that it focuses on building the capacity of smallholder farmers which will consequently improve their livelihoods and that of their households. When the livelihoods of people are improved, it is an important step in our efforts to promote human security.

I commend WFP and their counterpart the Ministry of Agriculture in Sierra Leone for their cooperation on the project.

What Steve Nsubuga said:

Today we once again are witnessing the generosity of the Government and people of Japan toward WFP in Sierra Leone, as well as their commitment to Zero Hunger

Over 40,000 people in Kambia, Kenema, Koinadugu, Moyamba, Pujehun & Tonkolili districts will benefit from this grant at a time when the Sierra Leonean economy is strained, and food insecurity affects roughly 2/3 of the population.

WFP looks forward to participating in the 8^th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8), which Japan and Tunisia will co-host in August this year. We believe this project is entirely in line with the spirit of TICAD 8, addressing food security in Africa.

Planned activities under this grant are:

Collaboration with Japanese agriculture processing machinery company SATAKE to strengthen the capabilities of farmers’ groups and agricultural business centres to process high quality, polished rice
Training of youth and women machine operators in safe operation and maintenance of SATAKE rice processing machines, in collaboration with SATAKE
Piloting of solar powered cold storage facilities using Kaneka Solar Energy technology
Solar powered drip irrigation for vegetable cultivation using Kaneka Solar Energy technology
Training of farmers in the Technical Package for Rice Production (TPRP)
Strengthening of farmer groups’ governance and financial management through group formation and training of executives
Training of farmers in improved rice post-harvest management practices
Upgrading of farmers’ stores to improve storage capabilities
Soil testing of targeted Inland Valley Swamps to guide soil enhancement and conservation
Empowering smallholders to adopt the TPRP through provision of appropriate and quality fertilizer
Reforestation of Inland Valley Swamp water catchment areas with economic trees for sustainability
Training and equiping women and youth to establish organic compost making enterprises
Reforestation of Inland Valley Swamp water catchment areas with economic trees for sustainability
Supporting Community Youth Contractors to become agricultural entrepreneurs to enhance availability of quality inputs
Linking assisted farmers’ groups to market through home-grown school feeding
Piloting a last-mile transport solution to enhance smallholder market access