Chief Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa, also the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Manifesto Committee, has emphasized that food poverty is responsible for more than 50% of the country’s overall poverty.

During his appearance on the ‘Good Morning Salone Program’ on Radio Democracy, he outlined the SLPP’s belief that prioritizing agriculture and focusing on growing staple foods can effectively address the food problem in Sierra Leone.

Chief Minister Saffa revealed that the country spends over $250 million USD annually on rice imports alone. He emphasized that by cultivating their own staple food, particularly rice, Sierra Leone can not only solve the food crisis but also bolster the national economy.

To achieve this, the government intends to create a conducive environment for private sector investment in agriculture and establish credit facilities to encourage people’s participation in food production.

“Agriculture is a top priority for this administration. In two years, we should be self-sufficient in rice production and able to feed ourselves unless individuals choose to consume imported rice,” stated Chief Minister Saffa.

On May 23, the SLPP launched their 2023 manifesto in Kenema, with agriculture identified as the primary focus for development over the next five years.

The manifesto highlights five key areas, with the first pillar titled ‘Feed Salone.’ This pillar aims to boost staple food production, minimize reliance on food imports, increase exports, generate employment, stimulate economic growth, and reduce poverty.

According to the manifesto, agriculture currently contributes 60% to Sierra Leone’s GDP and employs more than 65% of the population.

The country possesses favorable conditions for irrigated and mechanized large-scale food production, enabling it to meet local demands and even consider exports.

The SLPP Manifesto recognizes that the agriculture sector is characterized by small-scale farming, limited mechanization, and inadequate use of improved technologies and practices. As a result, the sector has experienced an average annual growth of around 4% in the past decade.

Additionally, agricultural exports remain low, accounting for less than 10% of total export value, primarily consisting of cocoa. The manifesto underscores the instrumental role of agriculture in President Bio’s human capital development agenda and highlights the government’s aim to enhance local food production to support the well-being of the population.

The manifesto also mentions the Bio-led government’s National Agricultural Transformation program (NAT 2023), which prioritizes the production of staple foods such as rice and cassava as a strategy to combat hunger and malnutrition.

The government has shifted its policy towards private sector-led service delivery for key agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, and mechanization services.

This shift has injected dynamism into the sector, supported by financial investments in the private sector, infrastructure development such as rural roads and bridges, and expanded mechanization across the country.