Feed Salone: President Bio Details Sierra Leone's Food Security March

In his address during the 2025 State Opening of Parliament, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio emphasized the significance of the "Feed Salone" initiative, a key component of his "Big Five Game Changers" and the foundation of his administration's national transformation agenda.

The President noted that "Feed Salone," launched in 2023, aims to secure food for the nation, reduce dependency on imports, and develop a resilient agricultural economy that supports livelihoods and encourages rural development.

He reported on the progress made towards food self-sufficiency, highlighting a notable increase in rice production by 8% in 2024. This growth led to a 13% reduction in rice imports, saving over US$15 million in foreign exchange. The President stated that this improvement directly benefited consumers, with rice prices decreasing by 20% over the past year.

Furthermore, President Bio outlined the commissioning of three new rice mills, which have improved local processing capacity and reduced post-harvest losses. He revealed that reliance on imported rice from the World Food Programme has decreased from 90% to 60%, with 30% now sourced directly from Sierra Leonean smallholder farmers.

He stressed that "Feed Salone" encompasses more than just rice, noting a 21% decline in egg imports, with locally produced eggs now being 10% cheaper. Local onions, he added, are 20% less expensive than their imported counterparts due to increased domestic supply and strategic market interventions.

In addition, the President highlighted Sierra Leone's emergence as a competitive agro-exporter, with exports of vegetable oil and other agricultural products on the rise.

He attributed this shift to the Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, which aims to increase farmer incomes and expand cocoa cultivation by an additional 9,000 hectares, thereby enhancing export potential and rural prosperity.

To further accelerate agricultural progress, the government has secured over US$800 million in international pledges for agricultural productivity, with US$205 million already committed. Some of these funds are designated for livestock development, cassava production, and essential agricultural road infrastructure.

Mechanization was identified as another priority, with the launch of a US$10 million credit facility intended to provide access to equipment, establish industrial poultry feed mills, and pilot Sierra Leone’s first Weather-Index Crop Insurance scheme for rice and maize farmers.

President Bio also announced the completion of Sierra Leone’s first nationwide digital soil mapping exercise and the establishment of a biometric National Farmers Registry, which has enrolled over 300,000 farmers. He described these innovations as foundational for data-driven agricultural planning.

Rural infrastructure development is integral to the "Feed Salone" initiative, with the government beginning the construction of 420 kilometers of feeder roads and several key bridges, including the Mattru-Senehun Bridge, aimed at enhancing farmers' access to markets.

Addressing the issue of climate change as a direct threat to food security, the President stated that the administration is integrating food system resilience into the nation’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. This includes initiatives focused on sustainable land use, reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and community-led environmental protection programs.

His Excellency also highlighted the fisheries sector, which contributes 12% of the GDP and supports over one million Sierra Leoneans, as receiving targeted interventions. In 2024, he reported that the sector generated over US$5 million in foreign exchange, aided by a new Quota Management System designed to ensure sustainable catches.

Additionally, he pointed out enhancements in marine governance through advanced vessel monitoring systems and international partnerships, including a joint venture agreement with Egypt aimed at boosting commercial fisheries and aquaculture.

Finally, President Bio expressed optimism regarding the progress on the Black Johnson Industrial Fish Harbour Complex, which promises to add significant value to the fisheries value chain and expand export opportunities.

The speech is expected to be a key point of discussion and analysis among members of parliament in the coming days.