By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S. Reporter
In a significant development for agricultural enhancement in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) presented the outcomes of the second year of the Rice Productivity Improvement Project (RPIP) at the 3rd Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Meeting held on March 5, 2026. This project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is crucial for the nation’s effort to boost rice production.
The meeting, hosted at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in the Youyi Building, gathered technical management team members and District Agricultural Officers (DAOs) to dissect the progress made under the initiative.
Madam Nancy Tengbeh, Senior Permanent Secretary at MAFS, underscored the project’s vital role in enhancing rice production across the country, asserting that bolstering rice productivity is a national priority. This initiative aligns with the government’s Feed Salone agenda aimed at strengthening food security and supporting local farmers.
During the presentation, Chief Advisor Takashi Kimijima highlighted significant achievements and key activities to date. The project, scheduled for a five-year lifespan from 2024 to 2029, focuses on increasing rice productivity among farmers belonging to Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs) trained under the Technical Package for Rice (TP-R).
Originally launched in four districts—Kambia, Port Loko, Bombali, and Karene—the project is set to expand into an additional four districts: Moyamba, Bo, Kenema, and Kailahun.
Dr. Tenneh Dicks, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security I, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to the Feed Salone agenda and stressed the necessity for ongoing collaboration between the project team and the Ministry’s technical staff.
Ken Awano, representing JICA, reiterated the agency’s commitment to facilitating Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation, noting that the JCC meeting serves as a critical platform for evaluating progress and tackling any implementation challenges.
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