In a groundbreaking event for Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector, Sierratec Secure, a leading private agro-tech enterprise, launched a comprehensive range of modern farm machinery, backed by a strategic government-supported credit facility. The official unveiling took place in Lungi Acre, Bombali District, with key stakeholders from government agencies, the private sector, farmer cooperatives, and the development community in attendance.
The initiative, which is made possible through a credit facility from the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, aims to drive mechanized farming and support the country’s efforts toward food security and agricultural sustainability. The credit program provides farmers with access to high-quality machinery, including tractors and accessories, essential for advancing mechanized farming practices.
Sallieu Kanu, Chief Executive Officer, Sierratec Secure, emphasized the company’s vision of transforming agricultural practices in Sierra Leone through innovative technology and sustainable partnerships. He expressed pride in supporting the government’s agricultural transformation agenda through the Feed Salone Initiative, noting that the launch marks a significant milestone for Sierratec Secure and provides a major boost for farmers aiming to increase productivity and adopt modern farming solutions.
The newly introduced equipment includes nine high-performance tractors, expanding Sierratec’s fleet to a total of fifteen machines, further enhancing its capacity to support mechanized farming across the country.
The event attracted several dignitaries, including traditional leaders. Paramount Chief Bai Makarie N’kolo II of Makari Chiefdom, where Sierratec has a substantial cultivation presence, reassured the government that his chiefdom is home to tens of thousands of acres of arable land, particularly “bolly lands,” which have the potential to transform Sierra Leone’s agriculture sector. Chief N’kolo called for continued government support for Sierratec to help combat hunger not only in Bombali District but across the nation.
Representatives from the Sierra Leone Agriculture Research Institute and other agriculture-related agencies praised Sierratec Secure’s commitment to transforming the sector through mechanization and the use of high-quality, high-yield seeds.
In his keynote address, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, lauded the initiative as an exemplary model of public-private collaboration for national development. He emphasized that the partnership represents a significant step toward achieving national goals of food self-sufficiency and rural empowerment. “Mechanization is central to unlocking the full potential of the agricultural sector,” Dr. Kpaka stated.
He also humorously referred to Sierratec’s CEO as a “general in agriculture,” highlighting his substantial investment in the sector, contribution to food security, and creation of employment opportunities for many young people.
Farmers and community leaders in attendance welcomed the initiative, acknowledging its potential to reduce labor-intensive farming practices and significantly boost crop yields.
This landmark launch underscores Sierratec Secure’s unwavering commitment to driving agricultural innovation, aligning with the Government of Sierra Leone’s broader objective of building a resilient, self-reliant farming economy. Government Spokesman Alhaji Alpha Khan further emphasized the importance of such initiatives in advancing the nation’s agricultural goals.
