His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, took a hands-on approach to agricultural development by participating in a symbolic rice harvest on his farm in Tihun, Sogbini Chiefdom.

The event, held ahead of the World Food Day Commemoration and the first anniversary of the “Feed Salone” initiative, highlighted the President’s personal commitment to revitalizing Sierra Leone’s agriculture sector.

President Bio harvested rice from 11 acres of his 1.467-acre farm, signaling his dedication to inspiring Sierra Leoneans to embrace farming. “I don’t want to simply ask people to farm; I want them to see me doing it myself,” President Bio stated, emphasizing that his active involvement is meant to set a strong example for the nation.

Looking ahead, the President revealed ambitious plans to significantly expand his rice cultivation to over 2,000 acres in the coming year.

He expressed confidence that this increase in production will address food security concerns, stating, “We will have plenty to eat, plenty to sell, and we will move away from the struggle for the most basic necessity of life—food.”

President Bio also used the occasion to discuss the broader opportunities for growth and investment in Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector.

He pointed out the country’s abundant natural resources, including over five million hectares of arable land and plentiful rainfall, making it ideal for large-scale farming.

To further encourage agricultural investment, his administration is focusing on creating a favorable environment for investors by de-risking the sector and enhancing infrastructure, such as building roads, expanding electricity, and establishing agricultural hubs across the country.

In addition to rice, President Bio shared insights into his other farming ventures, which span a wide range of agricultural products. He owns several farms across Sierra Leone, where he cultivates cocoa, cashew nuts, and coffee, and operates a fish farm. Last month, he symbolically harvested over 1,000 tonnes of fish from his farm in Masiaka, Northern Sierra Leone.

Through his personal engagement in farming and the government’s efforts to bolster agricultural infrastructure, President Bio is charting a path toward sustainable development in Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector.

His leadership is not only inspiring farmers but also attracting local and international investors to tap into the country’s vast agricultural potential.