President Bio Urges Increased Local Food Production
President Julius Maada Bio has urged Sierra Leoneans to step up investment in modern agricultural techniques and domestic food processing to bolster food security and curb reliance on foreign imports.
Addressing attendees on Thursday, 22 October 2026, during World Food Day celebrations at the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology, President Bio launched the third-year progress report for the country’s flagship Feed Salone initiative.
Underlining key priorities, the President stressed the necessity of modernizing the nation's agricultural framework through improved seed variety distribution, expanded irrigation infrastructure, mechanized farming, and broader access to capital. He highlighted emerging technology, such as agricultural drones, as critical to improving yields.
"Agriculture must serve as a major driver for employment, particularly for women and youth,"
President Bio remarked, noting that enhanced storage, transport, and processing networks are crucial for connecting farmers directly to commercial markets.
Data presented from the Feed Salone report demonstrated tangible gains: severe household food insecurity dropped from 28% in September 2023 to 13% by July 2025. Additionally, the initiative generated over 22,000 direct and indirect jobs over the past year.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka detailed progress across key commodities, highlighting reduced onion imports, expanded poultry farming, and boosted rice production alongside investments in seed infrastructure and school nutrition programs.
According to Dr. Kpaka, nearly one million school children received meals through state programs in the previous academic year, with a growing share of ingredients supplied by local farmers.
Outlining plans for Feed Salone’s fourth year, the agriculture ministry plans to finalize major irrigation and processing projects at Tormabum and Gbondapi while expanding targeted financing for youth and female agricultural entrepreneurs.
Development partners, traditional leaders, and farming advocates at the event voiced support for climate-smart farming initiatives and urged greater inclusion of women and youth across the value chain.
The ceremony concluded with awards recognizing ten local farmers, innovators, and agricultural businesses for outstanding contributions to national food production.
Held under the theme "Innovate Today and Nourish Tomorrow," the event reaffirmed agriculture as Sierra Leone's primary driver for economic sustainability, job creation, and food security.
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