Minister Kpaka Joins African Ministers at 34th AfricaRice Council Meeting in Abidjan
Sia Lucy Kannah Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, joined African ministers, researchers and development partners in Abidjan for the 34th Ordinary Session of the AfricaRice Council of Ministers, held from 4 to 6 November 2026.
The three-day meeting focused on accelerating rice production across Africa, strengthening agricultural research and innovation, and improving the competitiveness and commercial viability of locally produced rice.
Kpaka’s participation builds on Sierra Leone’s partnership with AfricaRice, a pan-African agricultural research institution and CGIAR member that works with 28 African countries. The collaboration has supported the development of improved rice varieties, including ROK 42 and ROK 43, which President Julius Maada Bio officially released in October 2025, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI).
Sierra Leone’s engagement comes amid progress under the Feed Salone initiative. The country’s rice self-sufficiency rose from 68 per cent in 2023 to 73 per cent in 2025, according to the information provided. Sustaining that progress will require continued investment in quality seeds, research, improved farming technologies and market development.
The Abidjan meeting offers an opportunity to deepen cooperation with AfricaRice, particularly in scaling up improved varieties, expanding seed production, building research capacity and increasing farmers’ access to proven technologies. SLARI’s participation also strengthens the connection between regional research and Sierra Leone’s agricultural priorities.
The engagement supports the country’s ambition to increase rice self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on imports and build a more productive, resilient and competitive rice industry under Feed Salone.