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The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has presented the results of its second year of implementation to the Ministry’s technical management and District Agricultural Officers (DAOs)of the Rice Productivity Improvement Project (RPIP), funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The presentation was made during the 3rd Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Meeting, held on Thursday, 5th March 2026, at the Ministry’s Conference Hall on the first floor of the Youyi Building in Freetown.
During the Engagement the Senior Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Madam Nancy Tengbeh, emphasized the importance of the project in boosting rice production across the country. She noted that increasing rice productivity remains a key national priority for strengthening food security and supporting farmers, particularly within the framework of the government’s Feed Salone agenda.
Furthermore, during the presentation session, the Chief Advisor of the project, Takashi Kimijima, outlined key activities and achievements recorded so far. He explained that the project, which runs for five years (2024–2029), aims to increase rice productivity among farmers who are members of Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs) trained under the Technical Package for Rice (TP-R).
He added that the project initially started in four districts—Kambia, Port Loko, Bombali, and Karene, and is now expanding to four additional districts: Moyamba, Bo, Kenema, and Kailahun.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security I, Dr. Tenneh Dicks, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Feed Salone agenda and encouraged continued collaboration between the project team and the Ministry’s technical staff.
Representing JICA, Ken Awano reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation and noted that the JCC meeting provides an important platform to review progress and address implementation challenges.
