RSLAF Expands Agricultural Footprint With 4,837 Acres of Rice, Cashew Farms
Osman Tolo Sesay The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is managing 4,837 acres of rice and cashew farms across six sites as part of its support for national food security and the Feed Salone initiative.
The agricultural sites span Port Loko, Tonkolili, Moyamba and Bonthe districts, with rice production accounting for most of the land under cultivation.
The scale of the military’s agricultural activities came into focus on Oct. 2, 2026, when retired senior and general-ranking RSLAF officers toured the farm sites alongside Chief of Army Staff Major General Kemoh Tewoh Sesay.
The retired officers commended the progress they observed and praised the Ministry of Defence and RSLAF leadership for supporting the government’s Feed Salone program.
In Port Loko District, the RSLAF operates 565 acres of cashew at Makallay and 215 acres of rice at Mankara, both in Bakeh Loko Chiefdom.
The military also has 366 acres of rice at Rumbeh in Kama Soto Chiefdom, Port Loko District, and 691 acres at Masang in Mamoutha Mayosoh Chiefdom, Tonkolili District.
The remaining 3,000 acres are split between Yoni in Kamajei Chiefdom, Moyamba District, and Tormabum in Bum Chiefdom, Bonthe District. Each site has 1,500 acres dedicated to rice cultivation.
The Ministry of Defence has described the agricultural initiative as part of RSLAF’s contribution to Feed Salone and linked the military’s involvement in national development to Section 165(2) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991.
Deputy Minister of Defence, retired Colonel Muana Brima Massaquoi, said the armed forces would continue collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other partners to advance the government’s agricultural program.
“The RSLAF will assiduously work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other partners to achieve the Government’s Feed Salone Initiative,” Massaquoi said.
President Julius Maada Bio is expected to participate in a symbolic rice-harvesting ceremony at one of the RSLAF farm sites later this month, according to the information provided.