As the drive for mechanized farming continue to yield dividend under the new direction: Rep. of China donated over 50 farm equipment to MAF
(Freetown: 17th December 2020) The Peoples Republic of China through Ambassador Hu Zhang Liang has handed over farm equipment worth over USD 30 Million to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) in what could be referred to as a timely intervention to compliment the effort of the government in achieving mechanized and sustainable agriculture. The handing over ceremony was held at the Agricultural Stores and Engineering Workshop at Kissy, Freetown.
While presenting the farm equipment which include; 1 Rice Trans Planter, 1 Rice Harvester, 17 set of 15 HP Power-Tillers, 11 set of Rice Haulers, 9 set of combined Rice Mills, 2 set of Rice Destoner, 21 set of Rice Threshers and 15 set of manual Rice Winnower to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Hu Zhang Liang stated that China with a population of over 1 billion people is able to feed itself through sustainable and mechanized agricultural initiatives. He strongly maintained that through the diplomatic ties between the two countries, China is very committed to providing such assistance to the government of Sierra Leone through MAF which is championing the country’s determination to achieving food self-sufficiency by 2023. He therefore called on the government and all private sector agricultural development partners to mount a concerted effort to ensure that these equipment are utilized for the right purpose as China is also ready to provide technical assistance to the process.
In an applauding response to the assistance provided by the People’s Republic of China, the Acting Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Abubakarr Karim affirmed the government continued commitment to strengthening and upholding the diplomatic relationship between Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China. He continued by thanking Ambassador Zhang Liang for spearheading such a laudable gesture which is wholeheartedly appreciated by the government and people of Sierra Leone as such an assistance shows that the relationship between Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China is very cordial and that Sierra Leone is moving in the right direction. He therefore proclaimed that these equipment together with all other existing agricultural equipment will be managed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) which will justify their rightful purposes and targeted beneficiaries.