July 16, 2024
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Today, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, the Minister of Agriculture for Sierra Leone, hosted a high-level delegation from the African Union (AU) and the People’s Republic of China. This significant meeting marks a pivotal step in advancing agricultural development in West Africa, focusing on the integration of Perennial Rice (PR) into large-scale rice production under the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) initiative.
The delegation, comprising esteemed representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), the CAAPs-Secretariat (FARA), and Chinese agronomists, convened to explore collaborative opportunities to boost rice production in the region. This initiative aligns with the AU’s Agenda 2063, emphasizing sustainable agricultural practices and enhanced food security. Key attendees included Mr. Anselme Vodounhessi, CAAPs Coordinator at FARA, along with ZHANG Zihua, First Secretary of the Mission of China to the African Union.
The primary goal of this mission is to foster dialogue and collaboration between Sierra Leone, the AU, and China. Key discussions revolved around introducing and cultivating Perennial Rice (PR) in Sierra Leone and beyond, exploring China’s involvement in establishing a rice CAAPs for West Africa, assessing the potential benefits of PR adoption for enhancing agricultural productivity and food security, and developing a strategic partnership roadmap for implementing the rice CAAPs and mainstreaming PR initiatives in Sierra Leone. Dr. Kpaka emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “The integration of Perennial Rice into our agricultural framework holds immense promise for enhancing food security and economic prosperity in Sierra Leone and West Africa. We are committed to leveraging innovative technologies and strategic partnerships to position our nation at the forefront of sustainable agricultural development.”
Dr. Musa Kpaka also expressed Sierra Leone’s commitment to engage with neighboring countries such as Guinea, Liberia, and others to establish Rice-CAAPs, aiming for a sustainable rice value chain across West Africa as part of the next ten-year implementation of the AU Agenda 2063. This regional collaboration is expected to strengthen agricultural practices and enhance food security in the region.
The agenda for the meeting included courtesy visits to government officials and relevant stakeholders, working sessions on understanding CAAPs, the introduction of a rice-CAAP in Sierra Leone, and the benefits of PR, as well as roundtable discussions to explore collaboration opportunities. On the second day, the delegation visited potential PR demonstration plots and consulted with local agricultural experts, researchers, and farmers. The discussions culminated in the development of a joint action plan for initiating the rice-CAAPs and mainstreaming PR initiatives.
The delegation’s visit underscores the commitment of the AU, China, and Sierra Leone to enhance agricultural productivity through innovative solutions like Perennial Rice. This initiative is poised to significantly contribute to the overarching goals of the AU’s Agenda 2063, promoting sustainable agricultural development and food security across the continent.
For more information, please contact:
- CAAPs-Secretariat (FARA)
- African Union Commission
- Ministry of Agriculture, Sierra Leone
About CAAPs: The Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) initiative is a flagship program of the AU’s Agenda 2063, aimed at integrating modern agricultural practices, technology, and partnerships across Africa to foster sustainable agricultural development and food security.
About Perennial Rice (PR): Developed by Chinese agronomists, Perennial Rice offers significant advantages, including reduced replanting requirements, improved soil health, and heightened climate resilience, making it a strategic investment for enhancing agricultural productivity in Africa.
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