By KandehSesay As part of their efforts in supporting Human Capital Development in the country, the management of Capitol Foods has opened the first cocoa processing factory in Tissor Village in Kenema District in the East Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Capitol Foods is a fruit and food processing company, currently developing the first natural fruit processing and bottling company in the country with a mission, according to its leadership, to become the leading firm in the agri-industrial sector in the country.
His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio who officially commissioned the cocoa processing factory of Capitol Foods, marking the first in the country, said the construction of the factory was part of the Human Capital Development drive of the nation. Therefore, he called on other private sector actors to begin to think of processing local products in the country.President Bio further stated that he was happy to see that such development was happening during his tenure as leader, and he expressed hope that those efforts would lead to the transfer of skills, develop the locality and above all generate more revenue for the country.
“This factory will add value to the cocoa business,” said President Bio, adding that it is good for our country and economy.
On his part, the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Capitol Foods Limited, HamzaHashim, said his company was one of the earliest post-war cocoa traders and exporters that was still playing a crucial role in reviving the flagging cocoa and coffee sector in the country.He added that with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and through the Sierra Leone Agribusiness Development Fund, SLADF, project, they had conducted training for 2,831 farmers on several topics like best agricultural practices, integrated pest control, and disease management technics.
“In 2018, Capitol secured a $600,000 grant from SLADF towards financing and improving yields and quality standards. The project aims at working with rural farmers to improve their yields, in addition to establishing a Cocoa Mass Processing Line which will improve the value of products and improve prices for the farmers,” he noted.
Executive Chairman of the country’s Producing Marketing Board, SLPMB, Dr James Vibbi, said he was happy to witness progress at the first cocoa processing factory in the country, adding that the factory would add more value to cocoa production for the international market. He further noted that the government had planned to have one factory in each of the districts of the country.
“Your Excellency, this factory can produce an annual capacity of 4,000 metric tons that can serve both the local and export market. It will provide employment opportunities and bring further development to the local community,” he stated. Community stakeholders also applauded the management of Capitol Foods for their exemplary role they are playing in the country in giving a huge boost to the Human Capital Development.
