On March 21st, Ambassador Wang Qing and Minister of Agriculture of Sierra Leone Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka jointly visited the Ogoo Farm located in the suburbs of Freetown to inspect the comprehensive demonstration project for maize cultivation of the 14th China-Aided Agricultural Technology Experts Team. They shared the joy of harvest with local farmers and discussed future cooperation plans together.
The Ogoo Farm covers an area of approximately 20 hectares and has over 100 farmers. In January of this year, the 14th China-Aided Agricultural Technology Experts Team held a training course on high-yield maize cultivation techniques, providing high-yield maize seeds from China and providing on-site technical guidance multiple times. After more than 80 days of planting, Ogoo Farm has achieved a bountiful harvest of maize, with a yield of 6 to 8 tons per hectare, greatly improving the planting yield and efficiency of farmers.
Ambassador Wang Qing stated that in President Bio's second term, the development of agriculture will be the flagship project. During his recent state visit to China, leaders of both sides agreed to make agriculture a key area of practical cooperation between the two countries in the next stage. China is willing to work together with Sierra Leone to earnestly implement the important consensus of the leaders of the two countries, carry out existing cooperation projects, actively explore new forms of cooperation, and help Sierra Leone achieve its goal of "Feed Salon" as soon as possible.
Minister Kpaka stated that the arable land area in Sierra Leone exceeds 5 million hectares. Due to a lack of funds and technology, less than one-fifth of the cultivated area has been cultivated, seriously affecting the lives of the Sierra Leonean people and national food security. Thanks to the Chinese experts for providing technical support and helping Sierra Leonean farmers significantly increase their production. The Sierra Leonean side hopes to work together with the Chinese side to promote the successful experience of the Ogoo Farm demonstration planting project in Sierra Leone, benefiting more Sierra Leonean people.
