By Tamba Borbor (Knowledge Management Officer, WHH Sierra Leone).
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) through the “Improving Food and Nutrition Outcomes of Vulnerable Households through Strengthening Climate Resilience, Fostering Financial Inclusion and Access to Clean Energy (LIFE) Project funded by Irish Aid, has supported the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) in Pujehun District to develop a District Agriculture Master Plan.
The two-day workshop was held from 6th to 7th May 2025 at the Pujehun District Council Hall and attracted a vast array of stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
In her statement, the District Agriculture Officer (DAO) of MAFS in Pujehun, Lucy Koker said the objective is “to bring together all stakeholders to collectively contribute to the development of a comprehensive, inclusive and evidence-based District Agriculture Master Plan aligned with the Feed Salone Initiative.”
Madam Koker further stated that the Master Plan will provide a clear framework to guide agricultural investments, improve coordination among stakeholders and ensure that all interventions are aligned with both district priorities and national development goals.
She acknowledged the invaluable support and interventions of WHH in Pujehun District, which she noted are aligned with the priorities of the Government of Sierra Leone and contributes meaningfully to the Six Pillars of the Feed Salone Strategy.”
Their continued partnership has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to fruition,” the Pujehun DAO said.
Foday Kandeh Rogers, the District Council Chairperson of Pujehun District thanked MAFS for organizing the workshop and emphasised close collaboration between the two institutions and the effort in bringing Non-Governmental Organisations together through the workshop.
Santigie Kamanda Kanu, Area Manager of Welthungerhilfe Sierra Leone in his statement reaffirmed that his organisation is deliberate in aligning its interventions with the Government’s priorities in Pujehun through its district office, which he noted, collaborates with all relevant stakeholders.
The LIFE Consortium project implemented in Pujehun, Tonkolili and Kenema districts supports the activities of MAFS and District Councils through collaboration.
Santigie said that the project has always been open to monitoring by and participation of the Councils.
“I want to urge all participants to put in their best in developing the District Agriculture Master Plan to improve the sector in Pujehun,” he stated.
Yayah Mansaray, the Director of Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), stated that the participation is not about numbers but “quality of representation.”
He thanked the MAFS Pujehun Office “for the novel initiative and ensuring ownership,” adding that the district is one of the hubs for food security.
Yayah noted that while the Government is injecting resources and building the infrastructure, participants in the workshop must ensure that they select the areas that actually require support.
“We are going to scale this District Master Plan to other districts,” he disclosed.
Paramount Chief, Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, welcomed the participants and urged them to be attentive and ensure full participation for maximum outcome.
The Chief Administrator of the Pujehun District Council thanked WHH for the continued support of the Council’s activities.
“MAFS Pujehun district is the first to develop such a plan, which speaks to the issues… This district has a very rich ecology and can contribute tremendously to the Feed Salone Initiative,” Gando stated.
He advised that emphasis must not only be placed on cultivation but environmental management plan to mitigate impacting the climate.
He assured that as Council, they take full ownership of the process and the final Master Plan, which would be incorporated in the District Development Plan.
Peter Massaquoi, the Coordinator of the National Federation of Farmers Sierra Leone (NAFFSL) in Pujehun District, stated that the workshop marks a significant activity for farmers in the district. He urged all participants to make meaningful contributions to ensure the Master Plan is accurate and enriched.
The District Master Farmer- Samuel Samba Rogers said, “Today is a big day for farmers in Pujehun and Sierra Leone.” He reminded all participants to provide relevant and accurate data while developing the Master Plan, and thanked WHH for the numerous forms of support and for introducing beekeeping in Pujehun district, which he noted is a novelty. “You will not support us in vain,” Rogers assured.
Participants were taken through insightful sessions, which were facilitated by the Consultant, Dr. Sawei, who maintained that the “Feed Salone Initiative” is one of the best documents in Africa… and Pujehun district is a pioneer of contextualising Feed Salone.
Participants were drawn from the national, district, and chiefdom levels, including Ministries, Agencies, Departments, other non-governmental organisations, and stakeholders involved in agriculture.
