Agriculture Minister Highlights Progress in Sierra Leone’s Rice Production

January 29, 2025

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in rice production.

Speaking at a press briefing, Dr. Kpaka emphasized the importance of boosting local rice cultivation under the Feed Salone Initiative. He urged citizens to support domestically grown rice to strengthen the economy and reduce reliance on imports.

As a short-term measure, the government has lowered the wholesale price of imported rice to ensure affordability while working toward long-term self-sufficiency. In 2024, more than 600,000 hectares of rice were cultivated through collaboration between the government and private sector stakeholders.

To modernize agriculture, ongoing irrigation projects and the installation of a large-scale rice milling machine at Tormabum are expected to enhance production and processing. Dr. Kpaka estimated that fully implementing the Feed Salone Project Strategy would require $2.8 billion and called for increased investment.

“The private sector is essential in achieving food security,” he stated, stressing the need for continued collaboration.

Hicham El Zein, a rice importer, acknowledged the government’s efforts to stabilize the exchange rate, making imported rice more affordable. However, he encouraged further cost reductions in local rice production to increase competitiveness.

Dr. Kpaka reiterated the government’s long-term goal of positioning Sierra Leone as a leading agricultural economy, ensuring food security and economic growth.