In a historic moment for Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially launched the Rural Farmers Radio 98.9 FM during the national World Food Day celebration held in Kambia District. The event marked a major milestone in strengthening communication, knowledge access and community empowerment for rural farmers across the country.
A Breakthrough for Agricultural Communication
The Rural Farmers Radio is the first of its kind in Sierra Leone an innovative platform designed to connect smallholder farmers with real-time information on modern agriculture, markets, climate trends and financial literacy. The station is a joint investment by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sierra Leone, implemented under the Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme (RFCIP) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). With a broadcast reach of over 75% of the country, the station is strategically positioned to support the goals of the Feed Salone Initiative, a national program aimed at boosting food self-sufficiency and shifting farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
The launch event was led by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, and attended by senior government officials, representatives of IFAD, staff of the RFCIP, the Apex Bank, local authorities and hundreds of community members. Participants commended the initiative as a timely and strategic intervention to close the information gap between farmers and all stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Declaring the station officially open, President Bio described Rural Farmers Radio as a vital tool for agricultural transformation, emphasizing its role in connecting farmers to the information and opportunities they need to succeed.
“This radio is here to stay. It will enhance agricultural awareness, promote market access and support our efforts to achieve food security under the Feed Salone Initiative,” he said.
The President proudly reaffirmed his identity as a farmer and encouraged young Sierra Leoneans to pursue agriculture as a meaningful livelihood.
“I am Julius Maada Bio, the President of Sierra Leone, an active farmer with passion for farming. It is good for the nation because we can feed ourselves and create jobs for young Sierra Leoneans. Grow what we eat and eat what we grow.”
He pledged to continue using the radio platform to share his personal farming experiences and inspire more citizens to participate in agriculture.
IFAD Celebrates a Triple Milestone
Madam Pascaline Barankeba, IFAD Country Director, described the day as a “celebration of three significant milestones”:
- World Food Day 2025
- Second Anniversary of the Feed Salone Initiative
- Launch of the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP)
- The historic opening of Sierra Leone’s first Rural Farmers Radio
She emphasized that the radio would bridge information gaps, strengthen financial literacy and ensure farmers receive timely advisory support, weather forecasts and market insights.
“This radio represents the power of communication as a driver of transformation for rural communities across Sierra Leone,” she noted.
The General Manager for Rural Farmers Radio George Nyambe Williams whose sound stewardship was rewarded for leading the first Rural Farmers radio in Sierra Leone, could not hide his excitement for the accomplishment and therefore expressed deep gratitude to all and sundry for the convivial support in turning a dream into action. In his own words, “Special appreciation goes to the vision carriers and others who dared to dream of a voice for rural communities. The Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme (RFCIP) for championing this initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for embracing and owning it, IFAD for the visionary funding support to connects farmers across our nation.”