The Agriculture ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the agreement with Zhonghui Tuifu International (ZTI), which specializes in Corn and Agro-Business processing, targets job creation, skill transfer and crop diversification.
The statement did not provide any further details on the MoU which was signed by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Joseph Jonathan Ndanema, and Pan Teng, the head of Zhonghui Tuifu International.
Minister Ndanema was quoted saying following “extensive discussions” between officials of his Ministry and the Chinese, the Ministry was convinced with the motives of the investors which surrounded the attainment of national food self-sufficiency and creation of job opportunities for the country’s population.
“This project is in line with the dreams and aspirations of President Julius Maada Bio and his New Direction Initiatives,” the minister stressed, noting that the signing of the MOU will be followed by a further engagement that’s expected to bring up new ideas.
Mr Teng of Zhonghui Tuifu International spoke of the “enormous agricultural potentials” of Sierra Leone and the impressive performance the ministry’s officials have displayed which indicated their readiness to deliver.
“This has spurred me and my organization to bring in more innovative ideas into the Country,” he said.
This MoU signing is the latest in a series of recent moves by the new government of President Julius Maada Bio to revamp the agriculture sector.
The government said its main target is to put an end to rice importation which cost it about $200million annually.
Earlier this month, Agriculture Minister Dr. Ndanema announced that each district in the country has been charged with the responsibility of cultivating 1,000 hectares of rice as part of this effort.