Minister of Agriculture Reflects on Progress of Feed Salone Initiative

Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has highlighted significant progress in the Feed Salone initiative, President Julius Maada Bio’s ambitious strategy to transform agriculture and achieve food security in Sierra Leone.

Reflecting on the past year, the minister emphasized a focus on results, innovation, and empowering farmers as the backbone of the country’s food systems.

“Our approach has been deliberate and consistent,” Dr. Kpaka said. “Feed Salone is about making agriculture a source of national pride, helping farmers see their work as vital and honorable. This year, we’ve focused on practical steps to engage rural communities and strengthen agricultural practices.”

A critical element of the initiative has been fostering collaboration with the private sector, a move that has seen increased agribusiness activity. Dr. Kpaka noted that more businesses are accessing loans from commercial banks and utilizing the Agriculture Credit Facility at the Bank of Sierra Leone to expand operations across various agricultural value chains.

“We prioritized the private sector, and they have responded positively to our policies,” he said.

The minister also highlighted successful partnerships with international institutions, academia, and industry leaders, which mobilized over $1 billion in financing and technical expertise.

Looking ahead, Dr. Kpaka acknowledged the need to improve efficiency in implementation and focus on strategic areas such as better planting and harvesting practices, enhanced supply chains, and increased local rice production.

“We aim to see more Sierra Leonean rice in our markets,” he stated, emphasizing the collective nature of Feed Salone as a “whole-of-government” effort that involves farmers, businesses, and global partners.

Dr. Kpaka concluded by thanking supporters of the initiative and expressing optimism for the future.

“Your contributions have been invaluable. Together, we will feed Salone,” he said, underscoring his confidence in the program’s ability to drive food security and position Sierra Leone as a leader in global food systems transformation.