President Bio Calls for Faster Agricultural Transformation as Feed Salone Reports Gains in Food Security and Jobs

EBK University, Magburaka, Tonkolili District (232news) – President Julius Maada Bio has called for accelerated agricultural transformation through modern technology, increased domestic 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 said.

He called for increased investment in improved seeds, irrigation, mechanisation, agricultural research, financing and emerging technologies, including drones. He also emphasised the need to strengthen links between education, technical training and agribusiness, stressing that agriculture must become a profitable and attractive enterprise for young people and women.

He further called for reliable markets and greater investment in storage, transportation and processing infrastructure to support farmers and improve the efficiency of agricultural value chains.

“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 the Feed Salone initiative, President Bio reported that severe household food insecurity declined from 28 per cent in September 2023 to 13 per cent in July 2025. He also noted that the initiative supported more than 22,000 direct and indirect jobs during its third year.

“Today, nearly three of every four cups of rice on our tables come from our own soil,” he said, calling for sustained efforts to increase domestic production and strengthen the country’s food self-sufficiency.

The President concluded with a call for national ownership of the agricultural transformation agenda, declaring: “Wetin wi plant, na im wi go eat. Salone go feed insɛf.”

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.

Resident Minister North-East Ibrahim Jalloh and Tonkolili District Council Chairman Madam Yabom Seay also welcomed the President and other participants to the district.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Country Representative, Mr Saeed Abubakar Banice, commended the government’s progress and called for greater investment in climate-smart agriculture, modern technology and opportunities for women and young people.

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mrs Princess Dugba, highlighted the fisheries sector’s contribution to domestic food supply. Meanwhile, Hon. Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, emphasised the importance of advancing the broader Feed Salone agenda.

The President of the National Farmers Federation, Mrs Yeatta Sama, encouraged more Sierra Leoneans to embrace farming and commended the support provided to local producers.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, reported improvements in rice self-sufficiency, a decline in onion imports and an expansion in domestic poultry production.

He also highlighted investments in seed production, rice processing, agricultural infrastructure and school feeding. He noted that nearly one million schoolchildren received meals during the previous academic year, with an increasing proportion of the food sourced locally.

Looking ahead to the fourth year of Feed Salone, Dr Kpaka said the government would focus on ensuring that existing investments deliver their full productive potential. Priorities include completing key irrigation and rice-processing facilities at Tormabum and Gbondapi, as well as expanding financing and commercial opportunities for farmers, particularly women and young people.

The celebration culminated in awards to ten farmers, entrepreneurs and agricultural champions in recognition of their contributions to food production, innovation, processing and the advancement of Feed Salone.

The recipients included Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, recognised for his leadership role in the RSLAF farm; Mrs Monica Kwame Greene, for agricultural programme coordination; Mrs Sitta Isata Kai Kai, for local production through Mulu Poultry and Chuma Agro Company Limited; and Ms Hannah Elizabeth Tarawally, for Coffee Couriers’ contribution to agricultural development.

Other awardees were Paramount Chief Bai Fonti Thangbathi II, for advancing food production and domestic rice supply; Ms Safinatu Bockarie, for Evergreen Women’s work in inland valley swamp farming and women’s participation in agriculture; and Ms Saffie Kalokoh, for sustainable agricultural innovation and vegetable production.

The remaining recipients were Mr Peter Dawah, for the National Farmers Association’s contribution to goat farming and livestock production; Mr John Shallop, for House of Beans’ contribution to agricultural processing and value addition; and Mrs Binta Bio, for Godwill Investment SL Ltd’s investment in domestic rice production.

The celebration reaffirmed the government’s ambition to position agriculture as a key driver of food security, job creation, industrialisation and improved livelihoods. Through Feed Salone, the government aims to strengthen domestic production, develop agricultural value chains and build a more self-reliant Sierra Leone.