By Joseph Momoh, Daily Scope Newspaper
State House, Freetown, October 7, 2025 — President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has officially received the Year-Two Report on the Feed Salone initiative from Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, during a meeting with the Presidential Council on Feed Salone at the State House.
Minister Kpaka opened the meeting by outlining the purpose of the report: to inform the President about the significant progress and achievements made in the second year of Feed Salone, while also addressing challenges faced during its implementation.
The report indicates that since its inception, Feed Salone has focused on five key objectives aimed at improving agricultural productivity and food security. Minister Kpaka noted that government interventions have led to increased exports of cash crops such as cocoa, cashew, and coffee, generating greater foreign exchange revenues. Additionally, the Ministry has trained 175 young individuals as certified tractor drivers, facilitating the establishment of five new machinery service providers in various districts.
Among other notable achievements, the Minister highlighted the deployment of 30 combined harvesters, the installation of 10 Sakata rice mills, and the ongoing construction of 5,000 hectares of irrigation infrastructure in Tormabum and Gbondapi. He also announced that the Sierra Leone Seed Certification Agency (SLeSCA) has established a modern seed laboratory, set to release new certified seed varieties aimed at improving crop yields and enhancing climate resilience for farmers.
In terms of institutional feeding, Dr. Kpaka reported that the World Food Programme (WFP), with government support, procured 2,044 metric tons of rice from 12,000 farmers across seven districts. He emphasized the government’s commitment to a $10 million agricultural credit facility designed to bolster private-sector investment in agriculture.
The implementation of the Feed Salone initiative over the past two years has led to a noticeable reduction in rice imports, lower rice prices, and improved food security. The consistent rise in cocoa, cashew, and coffee exports has further diversified the national food supply and contributed to economic growth.
In his remarks, President Bio expressed gratitude to the council members for their dedication, stating, “As we enter the third year of the Feed Salone programme, we have made significant strides—from prioritizing agriculture nationally to reforming sector policies.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating financing for agriculture through the $10 million credit facility, stressing the importance of private-sector involvement in enhancing agricultural value chains. “We have laid a solid foundation. While we are not there yet, this is a movement. I called upon this nation two years ago, and I believe they are responding. There is no turning back in our journey to Feed Salone,” President Bio assured.
Mr. Denis Jusu, Chief Executive Officer of Jam Jay Farming Company Limited, representing the indigenous private sector, praised the government’s support for local investors, predicting a potential 75 percent reduction in rice imports within the next two years. He underscored the crucial role of the private sector in realizing the goals of the Feed Salone initiative.
Council members engaged in meaningful discussions, and Minister Kpaka received commendations for his leadership in driving the Feed Salone initiative forward.
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