By Joseph Momoh, D.S
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is seeking about Le960 million in additional funding to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2027.
The request was made during a budget hearing on September 28, where agriculture was listed as a key area requiring increased investment under its Public Investment Programme.
The target builds on previous expansion in military food production. In 2025, the Food System Resilience Program reported that the RSLAF, with support for seeds, fertilizer, land preparation and harvesting, cultivated over 200 hectares of rice in 2023 and doubled production in 2024, with plans to increase to 500 hectares the following year.
The armed forces have also diversified into livestock production, fishing and tree-crop farming. In November 2025, the RSLAF disclosed it was cultivating rice on a 600-acre farm at Yoni in Moyamba District and had established the Lion Agricultural Company to coordinate its farming operations.
Despite the expansion, the RSLAF’s latest presentation indicates that rice production has not yet eliminated reliance on external supplies, as rice for troops and operations was included among its 2027 operational requirements. Insufficient and delayed funding was cited as a challenge affecting programmes.
The planned expansion aligns with government’s Feed Salone strategy aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing food imports.
The proposed allocation remains subject to approval through the national budget process.
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