By KAM
19th/09/2024.
Sierra Leone, a nation blessed with vast natural resources, fertile land, and abundant potential, finds itself in an ironic state under the leadership of President Maada Bio. While Bio embarks on endless international trips, giving lectures about the so-called strides his government has made in agriculture, the reality back home is devastating. The cost of living has soared to astronomical levels, essential commodities are increasingly unaffordable, and the dream of becoming a successful commercial agriculturist is nothing short of a nightmare for most Sierra Leoneans.
*The Realities of Agriculture Under Maada Bio*
In his second term, President Maada Bio has made it a public goal to “Feed Salone,” a promise enshrined in his manifesto. Yet, the situation in the agricultural sector is far from what his speeches proclaim. For the average Sierra Leonean, the cost of essential commodities for commercial agriculture—fertilizers, seeds, machinery, and irrigation systems—has skyrocketed beyond reach. Even for those who can afford to invest in agriculture, the yields are often nothing but frustration due to a complete lack of government support.
Commercial agriculture, a vital sector that could transform Sierra Leone’s economy and serve as the backbone of its export image, has been reduced to an expensive and non-rewarding venture. To become a successful agriculturist in Sierra Leone today, one must overcome insurmountable financial hurdles. The cost of agricultural education, essential machinery, and operational resources have all been inflated by a government whose policies fail to support this critical sector.
*Statistical Breakdown of the Agricultural Nightmare*
– *Fertilizer Prices:*
The cost of fertilizers has seen an over 300% increase in the last two years. For instance, a 50kg bag of NPK fertilizer that cost SLL 200,000 in 2018 now costs over SLL 800,000 since 2023.
– *Machinery & Equipment:*
The price of basic farming machinery such as tractors, plows, and irrigation pumps has also seen an exponential rise. Imported agricultural machinery is taxed heavily, driving costs up by as much as 400%, while local production remains negligible.
– *Seeds & Inputs:*
The cost of high-quality seeds has similarly inflated by more than 250%, making it almost impossible for local farmers to afford what should be the backbone of their livelihood.
– *Agricultural Education:*
To obtain a formal agricultural education, the tuition and associated costs have increased drastically, with most students incurring debt that they are unlikely to repay given the state of the sector. A Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture can cost upward of SLL 20 million—an impossible sum for most.
*The “Success” of Agriculture in Bio’s Imagination*
While Bio paints a rosy picture of success abroad, his claims are nothing but public provocation. Sierra Leoneans face the daily harsh realities of food insecurity, an irony in a country with vast agricultural potential. Maada Bio’s government repeatedly claims success in agriculture, but this success exists only on paper and in the speeches he delivers overseas. His manifestos and promises amount to little more than a farce.
Take a walk through the streets of Freetown, Bo, Kenema, or Makeni, and speak to farmers, traders, and market women about the real cost of food commodities. They will reveal the struggles they endure to make ends meet, with locally produced food costing as much, if not more, than imported alternatives. The prices of rice, cassava, and palm oil—Sierra Leone’s staple foods—have shot up in recent years. Locally produced rice, which should be cheaper, often competes at the same price point as imported rice due to the inefficient agricultural infrastructure.
*The Skyrocketing Cost of Living*
Not only are Sierra Leoneans struggling to engage in agriculture, but the general cost of living has also skyrocketed under Bio’s administration. Essential commodities such as fuel, electricity, transportation, and basic food items have become a daily struggle for ordinary citizens. Since Maada Bio took office, fuel prices have increased by over 250%, affecting the price of goods across the board.
– *Fuel:*
A liter of fuel that once cost around SLL 10,000 in 2017 now costs nearly SLL 40,000. This price hike has caused transportation costs to triple, and food prices to soar as transportation remains a critical component in the supply chain.
– *Electricity:*
The cost of electricity has also increased by over 150%, making it unaffordable for many households and small-scale agricultural businesses to access the power they need to operate.
The average Sierra Leonean is paying three times more for basic commodities than they did before, while wages remain stagnant. For example, in 2017, a bag of rice cost SLL 250,000. Today, it costs close to SLL 1 million, making it unattainable for families who barely earn a living wage.
*The Cost of Maada Bio’s Government Uselessness*
Sierra Leone lacks the critical infrastructure and support mechanisms needed to make agriculture a thriving, exportable industry. From poor road networks to inaccessible rural areas, the government has done little to enhance the environment for agricultural growth. The agricultural sector, which could have been Sierra Leone’s shining star on the world stage, has instead become a symbol of government incompetence.
Had there been a serious and capable government, Sierra Leone could have become a major exporter of rice, cocoa, coffee, and palm oil. With fertile land and abundant water resources, the potential for agricultural success is immense. Yet, under Maada Bio’s administration, that potential is being squandered. The government’s inability to regulate costs, provide subsidies for farmers, and invest in agricultural infrastructure has led to the collapse of any hope for self-sufficiency, let alone becoming an agricultural exporter.
*The Burden on Sierra Leoneans*
While Maada Bio continues to gallivant around the world, boasting of achievements that do not exist, the people of Sierra Leone continue to suffer under the weight of his failed promises. The agricultural sector, which could have been a lifeline for the country, has become a battleground for survival. The cost of becoming a successful agriculturist has become so prohibitive that even those with the knowledge and skill are giving up, frustrated by a system that yields nothing but hardship.
Sierra Leoneans should not be fooled by the president’s grand declarations. Instead, they should look at the reality on the ground—where the cost of living is unbearable, the cost of food is out of control, and the cost of engaging in agriculture is nothing but a dead end. The false life Maada Bio presents to the world is stinking, and the people of Sierra Leone deserve better not uselessness and foolishness!
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