President Kabbah Commissions New Rice Mill In Bo
By Yusuf Alghali

Farmers in Bo District have made a significant contribution in response to President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah's pledge for national food security by the year 2007. According to official records from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, Bo District rice growers increased their rice production by 100%, from about 22,000 metric tons in 2002 to 44,000 metric tons in 2003, representing 10% of the total national production.

Speaking on the occasion of the commissioning of a modern rice milling facility donated by the government of the People's Republic of China in Bo, Saturday 3rd April 2004, President Kabbah congratulated the Paramount Chiefs, Sub Chiefs and farmers of Bo District for their efforts and expressing delight that the people of Bo District had positively responded to his call for everybody to ensure that his pledge becomes a reality.

"As a comparison, it will interest you to note that the national increase in production of rice was less than 10% from 2002 to 2003," the Head of State told them, adding that because of the commitment demonstrated by Bo Farmers to national food security, Government had thought it prudent to ensure that their efforts do not go unnoticed.

Indicating his awareness of huge post-harvest losses in rice production occasioned by traditional rice milling methods, the
President said all must feel gratified about the gradual transition from traditional milling of rice to improved mechanized milling.

"We will continue to support mechanization efforts that will increase areas under cultivation and reduce the demand on human labour," he said, pointing out that there was no way Sierra Leoneans could feed themselves and attain food security if they depend entirely on hand and hoe agriculture. President Kabbah, who disclosed that a company from the People's Republic of China had indicated interest in constructing a tractor manufacturing factory in Freetown to produce tractors and other agricultural machinery for the West African market, spoke of bank credit facilities for farmers and government's efforts in the process of finalizing plans for the setting up of a tractor hire-purchase scheme, of which modalities were being discussed with major banks in Freetown. Rural banks established by the Bank of Sierra Leone in certain regions would be encouraged to give out loans for agricultural purposes at reasonable interest rates, he said.

In his appeal to donor agencies and multilateral organisations, the President remarked that agro-processing facilities required were not limited to the provision of rice mills alone. He said: "Bo District farmers also need oil palm presses, cassava graters, drying floors and stores…. They also need support in the provision of basic inputs such as planting materials, fertilizers, pesticides and basic farm tools to complement the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security."

Also in his address outside the new milling plant, Chinese Ambassador Fan Guijin said the launching of the new mill marked the beginning of the expansion of Chinese agricultural programmes in the country. He said with the war now over, there was need for the active participation of the nation's youth population, who he said, had the final solution to the food problem in their hands.

The envoy said the donated mill "is now too big for Bo District and its environs", hoping that in the near future the mill would be regarded as too small, when farmers begin turning over exportable quantities of rice. The machine currently has a capacity of milling, de-stoning, polishing and grading a ton of rice per hour.

Agriculture Minister Dr. Sama Monde, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to the Chinese for their support and the training facility provided to Sierra Leoneans for the operation and maintenance of the mill.

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