Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security official page created to inform the public and esteemed partners about daily progress of the agricultural sector.

Wraps Up District Stakeholders Engagement Across Sierra LeoneThe Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project under the F...
11/09/2026

Wraps Up District Stakeholders Engagement Across Sierra Leone

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project under the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), has completed a week-long district stakeholders’ engagement across seven districts. The engagement aimed to introduce the project to stakeholders who are direct beneficiaries, enabling them to understand the priorities of the GEF project and how they can contribute to the successful implementation of the initiatives.

During the stakeholders’ engagement in Bo, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Emmanuel Abdulai, said the GEF project has come to address environmental damage that is affecting food security, human health, and the economic growth of Sierra Leoneans.

“Climate change is hitting us seriously, and we have to be deliberate in restoring our forests and teaching our farmers better ways to farm,” Minister Jiwoh said.

He informed Paramount Chiefs and other stakeholders that the project will provide alternative livelihoods to communities to discourage deforestation, charcoal burning, and the clearing of forests for farming.

In Port Loko, Minister Jiwoh made it clear to local authorities that protecting the environment is also part of their responsibilities. He encouraged communities to replant trees and ensure that by-laws are enforced to promote responsible tree cutting, mining, and agricultural activities that do not destroy the environment.

“Chiefs, we are pleading with you to join the government in controlling activities that contribute to climate change,” he said.

The Minister also encouraged stakeholders to brainstorm and bring forward innovative ideas that can help protect the environment, noting that the government, through MoECC, is rewarding districts with forest reserves.

Wrapping up the engagement in Tonkolili, Minister Jiwoh promised to engage with all Paramount Chiefs and landowners to promote afforestation, proper land-use planning, and climate-smart agricultural practices.

Presentations were made on the GEF project by the GEF Lead, Olaimatu Sadia Karim, and stakeholders were encouraged to provide feedback on how they would like the initiative to be implemented.

The Paramount Chiefs pledged their support and promised to engage their communities on GEF project when they returned.

Stakeholders present included Paramount Chiefs, district councils, youth and women leaders, farmers, landowners, environmental experts, agricultural experts, among others

MoECC and MAFS take GEF Project to District StakeholdersFollowing the national engagement of stakeholders on the Global ...
08/09/2026

MoECC and MAFS take GEF Project to District Stakeholders

Following the national engagement of stakeholders on the Global Environment Facility (GEF) held last month in Freetown, today, MoECC has taken the project to stakeholders in the southeast as part of the consultation meetings to implement the project.

Speaking at the engagement in Bo, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Emmanuel Abdulai, said GEF is here to restore the damage caused to the environment, which is also impacting food security and the economic growth of Sierra Leoneans.

The event gathered local authorities, farmers, agriculture officers, and Councils to discuss the project and suggest how the Ministry will implement GEF for its success. The Paramount Chiefs clearly stated that most forest reserves have been taken back by landowners, and the government should be deliberate in ensuring proper arrangements are made to regain the lands.

In response, Jiwoh said protecting the lands is not only the responsibility of the government but also that of the communities. “Deforestation is impacting us directly,” he said.

The stakeholders were divided into groups, where the GEF project was thoroughly explained to them, and they were encouraged to take ownership of the project and find proper solutions to eradicating climate issues in their communities.

Their feedback was collected for incorporation, and similar consultation meetings will be held in the North and Northwest in the following days.

Happening now in Bo City
08/09/2026

Happening now in Bo City

Sierra Leone Leads Investment Dialogue — a move to secure US$100M for the Rice SectorThis proposal was made during the...
03/09/2026

Sierra Leone Leads Investment Dialogue — a move to secure US$100M for the Rice Sector

This proposal was made during the high-level roundtable on “Scaling Innovative Finance for Competitive Rice Value Chains,” a session facilitated by the Gates Foundation, through Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, representing His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka.

“The Government, through President Bio’s Feed Salone programme, has made substantial investments in rice production zones, including irrigation, land development, processing clusters, roads, and market infrastructure. However, as a country, we are ambitious to bring partners who are ready to invest and transform the lives of Sierra Leoneans through agriculture,” said Dr. Sengeh.

In response to Sierra Leone’s ambition, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development committed US$100 million out of the proposed US$500 million West Africa Rice Investment Facility.

The proposed facility will address access to finance, inputs, and private-sector partnerships. Different forms of capital, guarantees, and technical assistance will be provided to reduce investment risks across the rice value chain.

Sierra Leone will host the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit on 17–18 November 2026.

Engagements by the Sierra Leone delegation will continue throughout AFSF 2026, with a focus on securing opportunities and partnerships to transform agricultural development.

Today, Minister Kpaka presented Sierra Leone ambition in Feeding itselfDuring Sierra Leone Deal Room, where business...
01/09/2026

Today, Minister Kpaka presented Sierra Leone ambition in Feeding itself

During Sierra Leone Deal Room, where businesses and investors participated Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka showcased how the government plans to turn Sierra Leone’s agri-food potential into an investable and scalable opportunity.

he said
"Sierra Leone needs investment and partnerships. Deals that can transform systems and shift our economy."

Sierra Leone's Minister of Agriculture presents the Sierra Leone Integrated Rice Milling Investment Opportunity worth...
01/09/2026

Sierra Leone's Minister of Agriculture presents the Sierra Leone Integrated Rice Milling Investment Opportunity worth around $18M to boost local rice production under FeedSalone.

Yesterday's and Signed MoU to Institutionalize the Purchase of Locally Produced Rice from the FSRP Grain Reserve Thi...
28/08/2026

Yesterday's and Signed MoU to Institutionalize the Purchase of Locally Produced Rice from the FSRP Grain Reserve

This was formalized at Kobia Store in Kambia District, where FSRP stored around 10,000 bags of rice two years ago as a reserve for crises.

The aim of the MoU is simple said Minister Kpaka: to turn our Strategic Grain Reserve into a stronger market for Sierra Leonean farmers. "Today, we have no crisis, and that is why we are signing an agreement that allows the government to purchase the rice for the military, so that the money will go back to farmers to scale up production.

“As a first step, the military purchased 9,000 50kg bags at a competitive price,” said Minister Kpaka.

“This means three things: farmers get a market, our rice reserves are rotated*, and the military imports less rice.”

“That is how we build a stronger domestic food system—produce more, buy local, and keep value in Sierra Leone,” the Minister concluded.

Beyond this, RSLAF has cultivated around 1,000 hectares this year. The military aims to minimize rice imports for military feeding.

"We can feed ourselves. It is a challenge, but through Feed Salone, we are determined to achieve it,” said Deputy Minister of Defence, Colonel (Rtd.) Muana Brima Massaquoi."

FSRP, through the Ministry of Agriculture, will continue to support smallholder farmers so that they can Feed Salone.

Today, the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), concluded ...
22/08/2026

Today, the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), concluded a week-long drone training for Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, Communications Officers, and Integrated Landscape Management Officers. The training aimed to enhance their skills in data collection, mapping, and analysis.

According to the Head of ICT, who also served as Lead Facilitator, Ing. Dominic Bao, drones have emerged as vital digital tools that collect fast, accurate, and visual data from the field. They save time and improve project tracking, particularly for remote or large sites.

“For MAFS, we have developed and are now rolling out a digital policy, which this training is perfectly aligned with. I encourage officers to continually practise so they can enhance their productivity,” he concluded.

FSRP Program Manager, Dr. Kipefri Lakoh, emphasized that this is the first group of officers to receive the training and assured that the project will continue to support other staff within the Ministry. This will ensure their capacity is strengthened to collect data and make sound decisions that benefit smallholder farmers.

“Feed Salone is not only about food; it is also about empowering Sierra Leone to generate accurate data that can guide various actors in making concrete decisions,” he added.

18/08/2026

Meet Kadijah Bangura: Turning Agriculture into a Pathway Out of Poverty for Women

Kadijah Bangura is the CEO of Medtulai Agro-Processing Centre, one of the biggest milling and processing facilities in Bombali District, northern Sierra Leone. Her passion for agriculture has become a powerful force for transforming the lives of women in her community.

As a mother and entrepreneur, Kadijah has dedicated herself to creating opportunities for women who, like many others, struggle to break free from poverty. Through her agro-processing business, she has demonstrated that agriculture is not only about producing food but can also empower women to contribute to food security and economic growth.

Despite her passion, barriers such as limited access to finance, machinery and improved inputs constrained her ability to create the desired impact in the lives of women.

“I want my women to do large-scale farming so that they can produce enough food and generate income for themselves, but we require mechanization and finance.”

Luckily, in 2023, she met the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), an initiative funded by the World Bank to build resilience in Sierra Leone’s food system and cushion the impact of shocks.
When she met FSRP, her request was deliberate:

“I have 300 strong women in my organization. We have fertile lands, but we don’t have machines and improved seeds to scale rice production.”

At the time, Sierra Leone’s food system was struggling with the effects of COVID-19, and the project was implementing an emergency component to cushion the impact of the pandemic. Kadijah and her group were supported with improved seeds, fertilizer and machinery to cultivate around 300 hectares.

“We had no idea how to cultivate 300 hectares because it was massive, but with the help of FSRP, we succeeded.”

For FSRP, the support was intended to help farmers build resilience in the food system by providing inputs, machinery and extension knowledge to improve their livelihoods. Kadijah and her group have used the support to scale up their production since 2023.

Today, they do not just cultivate rice; they also process it into milled rice and take it to the market for other Sierra Leoneans. Due to their hard work, Kadijah was awarded a grant in 2025.

“Last year, I received a grant to construct a standard store, purchase a 22-MT per day capacity milling machine and a van for transportation.”

Today, Medtulai is one of the biggest suppliers of milled rice to the World Food Programme for its school feeding programme and serves as an off-taker for smallholder farmers.

of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - Sierra LeoneInternational Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)World Food Programme

MoECC and MAFS Hold Stakeholders Meeting to Mark the Start of GEF Last Thursday, at Radisson Blu, Freetown — The Global ...
17/08/2026

MoECC and MAFS Hold Stakeholders Meeting to Mark the Start of GEF

Last Thursday, at Radisson Blu, Freetown — The Global Environment Facility (GEF), under the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), held a National Stakeholders Meeting to officially mark the start of a project aimed at promoting nature-based approaches to strengthen food systems in Sierra Leone.

The one-day meeting, directly implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other stakeholders, brought together more than 70 participants from government institutions, the private sector, farmers’ organisations and development partners to understand their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of the GEF project.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Abdulai, said the project seeks to bring nature-based solutions closer to farmers while strengthening the country’s food systems.

He stressed that environmental protection must be everyone’s effort to improve food security, noting that the country cannot afford to lose sight of nature because environmental degradation directly affects agricultural production and livelihoods.

“We should be deliberate in investing in initiatives that will provide economic growth for communities while restoring nature,” Minister Abdulai emphasised.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security I, Dr Isata Kamanda, underscored the importance of the GEF initiative in advancing the Government’s Feed Salone agenda.

She noted that protecting the environment is fundamental to building resilient and productive food systems.

“When we protect the environment, we build food systems,” Dr Kamanda stated.

The project is expected to strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders while supporting farmers to adopt sustainable and nature-based approaches that contribute to food security, environmental restoration and climate resilience.

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