Enhancing the enabling Environment for Responsible Investments in Agriculture and Food Systems
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Tuesday, 13 November 2019 kicked off a new project, “Enhancing the enabling environment for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems” in Sierra Leone.
The High Level Event, brought together over 56 State and Non-state actors including government ministries, departments and agencies; local and traditional authorities, international and local non-governmental organizations, producer organizations, development partners, the private sector and civil society organizations, was held at the Golden Tulip in Freetown.
The Government of Germany through the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) funds the project. It among other things, aims to strengthen the capacity of policy makers and key partners to create an enabling environment for responsible agricultural investments and food systems in the country.
Relevance of the project to Sierra Leone’s development agenda
The acting Director of Export Promotion at the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotions Agency (SLIEPA) Bobson Margai said that, “Agribusiness investment is a prominent theme in Sierra Leone’s Mid-Term National Development Plan 2019 – 2013, as it seeks to enhance employment, generate rural income, create wealth, sustain livelihoods, and overall contribute to industrial development”.
The Minister of State - Eastern Province, Honourable Andrew Ansu Fatorma proposed that, “We need to have a deeper look into our legal system, particularly as it relates to land in the provinces if we are to attract the much needed investment in the agriculture sector”.
The FAO Representative a.i. Dr Evans Liyosi, explained the relevance of the project to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2 which are focused on eradicating poverty and hunger.
Dr. Liyosi said, “The eradication of poverty and hunger in Sierra Leone by 2030 requires additional annual investments of USD2.5 billion, of which more than 50 percent should target the agriculture and agri-business sectors in rural areas”.
Other speakers and participants at the one day High Level Event emphasized the relevance of the project to the country’s development aspiration and the need to review key policies to ensure the proper implementation of the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food System in the country.
The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Sierra Leone, H.E Horst Gruner noted that, land matters are of extreme importance in the country while agriculture is very crucial the country’s economy. H.E Gruner informed the gathering about the determination of Germany to strengthen its relationship with Africa. He highlighted the key priorities of the Germany-Africa relationship, among which investment in agriculture is key to reduce poverty in Africa.
During the High Level Event, a technical presentation on Enhancing enabling environment for responsible investments in agriculture and food systems was presented by Mr. Michael Riggs –FAO’s Global Team Leader for the Responsible Agriculture Investments (RAI) portfolio in Rome- Italy. Mr. Momoh Gbessay – the National RAI Consultant for FAO Sierra Leone, presented the progress on preliminary activities and emerging outcomes of the project since when it started in February 2019.
An interactive discussion session of questions, answers moderated by FAO Land Tenure Officer - Dr. Samuel Mabikke generated numerous contributions and recommendations from the participants on how to make Responsible Investments in Agriculture and Food System work and benefit the people of Sierra Leone. Mr. Yannick Fiedler, from the FAO RAI Team in Rome made a substantive presentation on engaging youth in responsible agriculture. The theme of youth employment in agriculture is particularly important for country like Sierra Leone whose population of over 60% is by the young people.
Key activities to be supported by the project
The project will support activities including the strengthening of capacities to enhance the application the Responsible Agriculture Investment at global level, support the application of the CFS-RAI in national institutional frameworks, policies and laws, and raise awareness on results of RAI in the country.
The implementation of the current phase of the project will end in 2021, and is expected to increase responsible investments in agriculture and food systems in Sierra Leone, thereby contributing to food security, nutrition and sustainable development.
The high-level event was officially closed by the Assistant FAO Representative for Programmes - Mr. Joseph Brima who encouraged the participants to support the project. He emphasized the importance of the multistakeholder platforms and governance structures such as the Inter-Ministerial Task Force (IMTF) which were set up during the VGGT implementation. Such strong institutional frameworks are key for sustainability of the projects outcomes.
Contact:
Keifa Jaward
Communications Consultant