President Dr Julius Maada Bio has called for accelerated agricultural transformation through modern technology, increased local production and agro-processing, declaring that Sierra Leone must produce more of the food it consumes to strengthen national security, create jobs and reduce dependence on imports.
Speaking at the World Food Day celebration and launch of the third-year report of the Feed Salone initiative at Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology in Magburaka, under the theme “Innovate Today and Nourish Tomorrow,” President Bio reaffirmed his government’s commitment to building a productive, resilient and self-reliant agricultural sector.
“Food security is a matter of national security and national dignity. We must increase local production, strengthen our farmers, and build the capacity to produce more of what we consume,” the President stated.
He called for greater investment in improved seeds, irrigation, mechanisation, research, financing and emerging technologies, including drones, while urging stronger links between education, technical training and agribusiness. He stressed that agriculture must become a profitable enterprise for young people and women, supported by reliable markets, storage, transportation and processing infrastructure.
“Agriculture must become a strong foundation for industrialisation. We must add value to our locally produced crops, create jobs, strengthen our economy, and reduce dependence on imported food,” he said.
Highlighting progress under Feed Salone, President Bio reported that severe household food insecurity declined from 28 per cent in September 2023 to 13 per cent in July 2025, while the initiative supported more than 22,000 direct and indirect jobs during its third year.
Traditional leaders, represented by the National Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, Paramount Chief Dr Masakà Madibie II of Kafe Chiefdom, welcomed the initiative and pledged continued support for farming and peaceful communities.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Dr Henry Musa Kpaka reported that rice self-sufficiency rose, while onion imports declined, and domestic poultry production expanded. He also highlighted investments in seed production, rice processing, agricultural infrastructure and school feeding, noting that nearly one million schoolchildren received meals during the previous academic year, with an increasing proportion of food sourced locally.
Looking ahead to Feed Salone’s fourth year, Dr Kpaka said the focus would be on making existing investments fully productive, completing key irrigation and rice-processing facilities at Tormabum and Gbondapi, and expanding financing and commercial opportunities for farmers, particularly women and young people.
The celebration reinforced the government’s ambition to make agriculture a driver of food security, job creation, industrialisation and improved livelihoods, with Feed Salone at the centre of efforts to strengthen local production, develop agricultural value chains and build a more self-reliant Sierra Leone.
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