Solidaridad West Africa has donated two used Toyota Land Cruisers to Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in support of the government’s Feed Salone Initiative, a flagship program aimed at addressing the country’s food security issues. The handover is intended to strengthen the Ministry’s ability to boost food production, create jobs, and contribute to overall economic growth.
Solidaridad Country Representative Andrew Kojo Morrison announced at the ceremony that the donation was made in recognition of the government’s Feed Salone Initiative efforts. “In recognition of these efforts, we are transferring these vehicles to support the Ministry’s work under the Feed Salone Initiative, which is led by Sierra Leone’s President. Solidaridad values the strong partnership and supportive environment provided for our operations in the country,” Morrison stated.
Solidaridad reiterated its commitment to working with the Ministry and other stakeholders to implement long-term agricultural programs that address food insecurity throughout Sierra Leone, on behalf of Regional Director Isaac Gyamfi. The organisation emphasised that these vehicles will directly support field operations and logistics, both of which are critical for effective outreach and agricultural interventions.
Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Musa Henry Kpaka, Ministry Spokesperson and Director of Extension Yayah Mansaray expressed appreciation for Solidaridad’s ongoing assistance. Mansaray praised Solidaridad for its role in strengthening key agricultural value chains, particularly cocoa, coffee, oil palm, and cashew, and described it as an important partner in the national effort to improve food security.
“The vehicles will significantly enhance the Ministry’s field operations and improve productivity across farming communities nationwide,” Mansaray said, calling for ongoing collaboration between the government and partners to ensure long-term impact.
Earlier this week, Solidaridad gave a used Toyota Land Cruiser to its local partner Develop Salone (DESAL). That assistance, provided through the European Union-funded Jobs and Growth Programme, is intended to broaden DESAL’s reach to cashew farmers in Northern Sierra Leone through the Sustainable Cashew Agroforestry Value Chain project. Alhassan Kemoh Sesay, Executive Director of DESAL, welcomed the vehicle and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to creating long-term impact for farming communities.
“With this support, DESAL will be able to reach many more farmers and have a significant impact on their communities,” Sesay said.
The DESAL donation is part of the EU-funded Developing an Inclusive and Sustainable Cashew Agroforestry Value Chain (DISCA-VC) Project, which demonstrates the tangible benefits of trust-based collaboration between international donors, civil society organisations, and governments. Solidaridad stated that it will continue to collaborate with Sierra Leone’s government and local partners to deliver programmes that strengthen agricultural value chains and improve livelihoods, one community at a time.
