Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone Program Expands: Rice Now Exported to Guinea, Says Agriculture Director

Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone program is now exporting rice to Guinea while continuing to provide food for citizens within the country, Alpha Yayah Mansaray, Director of Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, confirmed in an interview with Epic Radio.

Mansaray explained that rice production in Sierra Leone has grown steadily, enabling local farmers to meet domestic demand and supply neighboring countries. He added that the World Food Programme (WFP) has begun purchasing rice directly from Sierra Leonean farmers, providing them with a reliable market and boosting confidence in locally produced food.

The Feed Salone initiative is also directly feeding people across Sierra Leone, with schools among the key beneficiaries, using meals made from rice grown locally.

Mansaray highlighted that locally produced rice can sometimes be more expensive than imported varieties due to its richer natural nutrients and less-processed cultivation methods, making it healthier for consumers.

He concluded that these efforts demonstrate progress in supporting farmers, feeding Sierra Leoneans, and exporting rice to the region.