MINISTER SANNOH EXPLORES SOUTH KOREA’S AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION

MOYA, Gyeongju, 12th July, 2025- Minister of Youth Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh, has taken a bold step toward transforming Sierra Leone’s agricultural landscape for young people through a visit to a state-of-the-art Smart Farm in South Korea. The goal is to explore how innovation and technology can be harnessed to empower young people and ensure food security back home. The visit took place in Gyeongju, a countryside city in southern South Korea known for its rice and fish production. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and blessed with fertile lands, Gyeongju has become a shining example of how technology can uplift rural agriculture. Despite South Korea’s challenging terrain, over 70% of the country is mountainous, it has achieved food self-sufficiency and emerged as a donor nation just 30 years after being one of the world’s poorest. Minister Sannoh reflected on South Korea’s remarkable journey, from a war-torn, impoverished nation to a global economic powerhouse and donor in just three decades. ” If South Korea could rise from ashes to abundance, so can Sierra Leone,” he declared.

Minister Sannoh’s visit focused on learning how small land areas are maximized for rice farming, with no traditional footpath spacing. Drones are used for precision fertilization and pest control, boosting yields while conserving space and resources. “This experience has opened my eyes to what is possible,” said Minister Sannoh. “If South Korea can rise through unity, technology, and innovation, then so can we. Sierra Leone and West Africa can overcome hunger, not tomorrow, but starting today.” South Korea’s success was not by chance, but through nationalism, strategic planning, and technology adoption. Young Koreans are at the forefront of this agricultural revolution, proof that Sierras Leone’s youth can lead the same transformation. Min Sannoh emphasized,” Sierra Leone has fertile land, passionate youth, and untapped potential. What we need now is the right technology and mindsets. The Minister’s visit was more than observational, it was strategic. His mission is to integrate these beautiful techniques into Sierra Leone’s Youth in Agriculture initiative. Imagine our young farmers using drones to monitor crops, mobile apps for soil analysis, and smart irrigation to combat climate change. Sierra Leone will not just end hunger, we will create Agripreneurs, exporters and innovators.

The future of Sierra Leone lies in the hands of its youth, armed with innovation, patriotism, and purpose. The seeds of a green revolution are being planted, and with the right tools and mindset, they will grow into a legacy of abundance for generations to come. South Korea did it, we can too. The tools are here, the youth are ready, the time is now. Let us embrace technology, unite purpose, and make Sierra Leone the next agricultural success story.