SLIEPA TRAINS AGRIBUSINESSES ON MARKET LINKAGE WITH SUPPORT FROM SCADEP

With support from the Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP), the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) has organized Market Linkage Workshops for Agribusinesses, off-takers, and Manufacturing/Marketing companies, on the 13^th and 15^th of June 2023, in Kenema and Kambia Districts respectively.

The objectives of the events were not only to facilitate networking opportunities among participants and to provide a platform for discussing emerging trends and challenges in the agribusiness sector but to as well encourage them to showcase success stories of agribusinesses that have benefited from previous strategic market linkages, foster knowledge exchange, best practices sharing and to explore potential areas of collaboration and business opportunities.

Among other facilitators, the Assistant Director of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB), Mr. Kamanda, encouraged the participants to always obtain standard procedures and processes for their products to access the international markets without hindrance; saying that standards are as well necessary for products to be of value and competitive in the local market, therefore, he said, tests should be always conducted on products to certified them for market acceptability.

 Madam Yatta Samia, the President of the Farmers’ Federation, encouraged the participants to take advantage of the training in order to improve the quality and volume of their products so as to have a competitive advantage in both the local and international markets. She further appealed to the farmers especially the women to prioritize agriculture as it has been pronounced the Government’s next flagship program for food sufficiency and affordability in the Country, she said.

The District Agricultural Officer of Kambia District, Mr. Ambrose Bindi, appreciated the efforts applied by SLIEPA and SCADeP in agricultural development; he called on all participants to treat agriculture as a business venture rather than just a mere means to feed the homes and families. He assured everyone of the Government’s determination to ensure Sierra Leone feeds itself.

© SLIEPA: Directorate of Marketing and Communications

Visit our website: www.sliepa.gov.sl

Email: info@sliepa.gov.sl

Tell: 025332863