Egyptian, South African investors look for agricultural prospects in Sierra Leone

Egypt's Rice Inter- African Community Exchange has disclosed plans to go into large scale rice production in Sierra Leone.

Briefing Sierra Leone's agriculture minister on a visit to the WestAfrican country, the president of the Exchange, Mohamed Helwa, lauded the government for opening windows of opportunity to private sector involvement in agricultural Development and disclosed their intention to engage in large scale rice production.

The minister, Joseph Sam Sesay said that the decisions taken by the Egyptians to go into large scale rice production in Sierra Leone is a positive move towards achieving food self-sufficiency and assured them of his support.

In another engagement, a two-man delegation from South Africa are on a fact finding mission to Sierra Leone, meeting with the Minister to identify possible areas the two countries can collaborate to boost agricultural development.

While disclosing his vision to the delegation, Dr. Sesay said that agricultural production had in the past been limited to production activities but he has considered agriculture as an engine for socio-economic growth with the aim of creating employment and generating raw materials for industries in Sierra Leone.

Dr. Sesay maintained that his vision would focus on setting up an agricultural sector forum through private sector participation.

He encouraged the South Africans to share their experiences with the Ministry so that strategies would be developed on how South Africa would go into healthy partnership with the Sierra Leonean farmers.

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