By Amin Kef (Ranger)
President Julius Maada Bio on Monday October 28, 2024 took part in a hands-on visit to Demoss Farm in Iowa, owned by Steven Kuiper, Director of the 8th Crop Reporting District, where he joined the corn harvest on the 80-acre family-run operation. The visit was part of a broader mission to enhance agricultural productivity in Sierra Leone through partnerships and advanced mechanization.
Steven Kuiper, a fourth-generation farmer, expressed enthusiasm for hosting President Bio, recognizing their mutual dedication to advancing agriculture. During their conversation, Kuiper recounted his farming journey, which began in 1987 and now encompasses over 3,000 acres dedicated to corn and soybeans. He provided an overview of his farm’s annual cultivation practices, highlighting Iowa’s seasonal crop cycle from planting to harvesting.
After participating in the harvest, President Bio emphasized that his Iowa trip is part of his commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s “Feed Salone” program. He pointed out that mechanized farming, demonstrated on farms like Kuiper’s, holds the potential to transform Sierra Leone’s agricultural landscape. “Mechanization is key to agricultural efficiency,” President Bio stated, adding that Sierra Leoneans with financial resources should consider investing in the sector to foster economic growth and food security.
The President also acknowledged Kuiper’s enduring legacy and praised the dedication of his family, particularly Kuiper and his son, in sustaining agriculture as a viable enterprise.
In addition to his visit to Demoss Farm, President Bio toured a John Deere dealership in Knoxville, Iowa, where he inspected agricultural equipment including tractors, planters, and sprayers, assessing their potential to enhance farming practices in Sierra Leone.
President Bio’s visit to Iowa coincides with his role as Special Guest of Honor at the World Food Prize Foundation’s Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. He is expected to meet with senior officials from the United States Department of Agriculture, co-chair a roundtable discussion with the President of the African Development Bank Group, and present the 2024 World Food Prize, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to agricultural innovation and global food security.
