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The Sierra Leone Government through the Agriculture Ministry and the World Bank have handed over 3000 bags of school-farmed rice to Bo School.
The Agriculture Ministry said the donation is part of the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) funded by the World Bank. The event, which took place at the school ground, saw the school also receiving at least four greenhouses for growing plants.
During the ceremony, the Agriculture Minister, Henry Musa Kpaka said the project aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s dream to see boarding schools consume locally-produced rice.
“We are here this morning to fulfil our promise by handing over 300 bags of 50kg rice and four greenhouses to Bo School,” the minister said. He added that the government is determined to “introduce agriculture in schools” practically.
The minister also stated that four other government boarding schools will receive similar support under the FRSP project.
The FRSP Project Manager, Kepiri Larkoh said the project has achieved this milestone in just a year since it started implementation.
“This is not just a donation, it’s an investment in sustainability and education,” he said.
The Acting Bo School Principal, Emmanuel Gbory said the project has revived practical agriculture in his school. “The rice donation reminds us that with the right support, Sierra Leone can feed itself again,” he stated. He also promised that the greenhouses would be used as an educational centre as well.
The Sierra Leone Government has identified agriculture as one of its key priorities for development in the next five years. The West African nation is heavily reliant on agricultural exports for its economy but has fallen short in equipping local farmers with tools and access to funds.
Experts believe that the country could thrive if farmers are exposed to financial support thereby leading to sufficiency in produce.
