By Kemoh Saidu Sesay
kemohsaidusesay2016@gmail.com
After reading President Julius Maada Bio’s 43-pager speech he delivered to the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 6th August 2024, our politicians never ceased to amaze us with lengthy speeches marinated with sugar-coated plans.
This long accountability address to parliament and every Sierra Leonean home and aboard highlighted the key Medium-Term National Development Plan of the Bio administration: Agriculture and Food Security; Human Capital Development: Education and Skills Training; Human Capital Development: Healthcare; Job Creation and Rural Livelihoods; Infrastructure Development and Technology; Public Service Architecture Reforms; Building a Resilient and Diversified Economy; Mobilisation of External Resources; Governance, Human Rights and Justice Reforms; Foreign Policy and International Cooperation; and Climate Change, the Environment, and Disaster Management.
After reading his speech, I’m particularly interested in the section where he spoke about “Agriculture and Food Security.” President Bio clearly stated an ambitious strategy to address the country’s agricultural challenges and improve food security. His marathon speech, filled with unending hopeful rhetorics and forward-looking policies, painted a rosy picture of the future. However, a stark reality persists that casts a shadow over these promises; 82% of Sierra Leone’s population remains food insecure, The World Food Programmes (WFP) reports. This disconnect between blossoming political pronouncements and the lived experiences of the majority demands surgical scrutiny.
The Harsh Reality of Food Insecurity
President Bio’s eloquent speech underscored the link between food security and national stability, citing the classic adage, “a hungry man is an angry man.” Yet, despite these words, the grim reality is that more than four-fifths of Sierra Leoneans struggle to secure enough food. This statistic is not merely a number; it represents millions of men, women, and children who face daily uncertainty about their next meal. It starkly highlights the government’s failure to ensure even the most basic human need: food.
Grand Plans and Ground Realities
The President’s vision for a private sector-led agricultural revival through the FEED SALONE Programme sounds highly promising on paper for tables and shelves. The emphasis on expanding rice production, mechanising farming, and establishing agro-industrial hubs seems like a comprehensive approach. However, these initiatives must be critically assessed against the backdrop of persistent food insecurity.
The reality is that despite these grand plans, the benefits have not yet trickled down to the average farmer. For many, the promises of increased mechanisation and financial support remain just that— lavish political promises. The introduction of tractors and modern farming equipment means little to subsistence farmers in places like Sumbuya, Panguma, Gbinti, Jaiama Nimikor, Batkanu etc who still rely on traditional methods due to a lack of access to these resources.
Financial Instruments: Out of Reach for the Needy
The introduction of financial solutions like the Agriculture Credit Facility and crop insurance schemes was touted as a significant achievement. However, these instruments often remain inaccessible to the very farmers they are meant to help. High interest rates, unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, and lack of awareness prevent smallholder farmers in underserved communities from benefiting. The President’s remarks missed the opportunity to address these critical barriers, leaving a significant gap between policy and practice.
Women and Youth: Empowerment or Empty Words?
The President’s commitment to empowering women and youth in agriculture is received with applause. However, in a country where food insecurity disproportionately affects women and children, tangible actions speak louder than words. The persistent food insecurity suggests that these initiatives have not been sufficiently impactful. True empowerment requires not just policy announcements but concrete actions, support systems, and resources that directly improve the lives of women and youth in agriculture.
International Partnerships: Solutions or Stopgaps?
While the government’s participation in international coalitions like the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation and the K-Rice Belt project is a positive step, these partnerships must deliver real results. Too often, international collaborations result in short-term projects that do not address the systemic issues plaguing the agricultural sector. The President’s speech missed another opportunity to clarify how these partnerships would lead to sustainable, long-term improvements in the nation’s hunger crisis.
Bridging the gap between rhetoric and reality, President Bio’s remarks in the country’s legislative house were enveloped with ambitious plans and hopeful rhetoric. However, the stark reality of 82% of Sierra Leone’s population being food insecure cannot be ignored. This glaring discrepancy between political promises and ground realities calls for urgent and sustainable action.
To close this hectare gap, the government must go beyond ceremonious announcements and ensure that policies are effectively implemented, inclusive, and accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable. Only through genuine commitment and concrete actions can Sierra Leone hope to transform its agricultural landscape and achieve true food security for its people. Until then, the promises of a prosperous and food-secure nation remain painfully out of reach for the majority of Sierra Leone.
