The World Food Day celebration in Sierra Leone recently highlighted a significant advancement in the country’s poultry sector. President Julius Maada Bio, alongside FeedDeNation’s African Poultry Multiplication Initiative (APMI) Manager, Moses Patcole, discussed the substantial impact of dual-purpose poultry breeds and the APMI program on food security and livelihood improvements across Sierra Leone. Their outstanding dedication to the cause was recognized with the “Award of Excellence,” an honor that acknowledges the contributions of FeedDeNation in transforming poultry production and raising standards for nutrition and food availability in the region. The award not only celebrates their achievements but also underlines the potential of poultry farming as a sustainable solution to food insecurity, rural poverty, and employment creation.
The APMI program, funded by the Qatar Fund for Development, has been instrumental in Sierra Leone’s poultry transformation. FeedDeNation’s commitment to the development and distribution of dual-purpose poultry breeds, designed for both meat and egg production, is particularly impactful in Sierra Leone, where nutritional deficiencies and unemployment are key challenges. These breeds enable small-scale farmers to generate diverse income streams, simultaneously improving the availability of affordable protein sources in communities. By making these birds accessible to farmers, FeedDeNation and the APMI program are empowering them with tools to generate income while enhancing food security. This approach aligns with Sierra Leone’s broader objective to achieve food self-sufficiency and address malnutrition, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Dual-purpose poultry breeds are suitable for the socio-economic conditions in Sierra Leone. Unlike specialized layers or broilers, which may require intensive management and higher feed costs, dual-purpose birds are easier to manage, especially for smallholder farmers. The birds can be raised in low-cost settings and have the capacity to adapt to the local climate and farming conditions, reducing the strain on farmers and enhancing productivity in both eggs and meat. As these birds are accessible to rural farmers through FeedDeNation’s efforts, they hold significant promise for transforming the country’s poultry sector. This strategy is especially valuable as it allows farmers to access resources that they may have previously struggled to afford, thereby fostering a system that supports both economic resilience and local food production.
The expansion of the APMI program into new regions within Sierra Leone is another step toward achieving widespread poultry availability. FeedDeNation aims to establish a network that ensures dual-purpose birds reach smallholder farmers across multiple regions, particularly in remote areas that often have limited access to reliable food sources. The model incorporates training and education to help farmers build the skills they need to maintain and expand their poultry businesses sustainably. Beyond its immediate food security benefits, this initiative supports long-term social stability and economic development, as it encourages rural entrepreneurship, creates jobs, and lessens dependency on imported poultry products.
The APMI program, supported by the Qatar Fund for Development, represents a partnership that extends beyond mere financial backing. Qatar’s involvement showcases a global commitment to tackling food insecurity through practical, local interventions that target the roots of the problem. By equipping farmers with the resources and knowledge necessary to succeed, the program fosters an environment where poultry farming can thrive as a cornerstone of food security in Sierra Leone. The international support received reflects the growing recognition of the transformative potential of agriculture in poverty alleviation and economic growth across Africa.
The recent discussions at the World Food Day event underscore the critical role that the APMI program and FeedDeNation play in Sierra Leone’s quest for food security and rural economic growth. With the support of the Qatar Fund for Development and under the leadership of individuals like President Bio and Moses Patcole, the future of poultry farming in Sierra Leone appears promising. The expansion of these efforts to additional regions will not only increase access to nutritious food but also drive sustainable livelihoods across the country, marking a substantial step toward a food-secure, self-sustaining Sierra Leone.
