By: Saidu Jalloh
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, has led a high-level delegation to Tormabum in Bonthe District, one of Sierra Leone’s key rice production zones, to assess the progress of major government initiatives aimed at boosting rice production and strengthening the agricultural value chain.
The monitoring visit focused on evaluating irrigation infrastructure, feeder roads, and other critical facilities funded by the Regional Rice Value Chain Project (RRVCP) and the Sierra Leone Rice Agro-Industrial Cluster (SL-RAIC) Project, both implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Dr. Kpaka emphasized that Tormabum has the potential to significantly contribute to Sierra Leone’s food security, but achieving this goal requires sustained investment in infrastructure to facilitate year-round cultivation and value addition. He underscored the government’s commitment to reducing rice imports and achieving national food self-sufficiency through strategic interventions. The site currently hosts extensive development efforts, including 4,200 hectares of irrigated rice fields, a rice-processing facility with 21 buildings, and a production capacity of 15 metric tons per day.
As part of the visit, the minister chaired a technical working session with key stakeholders, including contractors and project implementation teams, to review progress, address challenges, and enhance coordination for timely and efficient project delivery. The discussions focused on streamlining ongoing construction activities and ensuring effective collaboration among various actors.
Following the meeting, Dr. Kpaka led an extensive field inspection, personally assessing irrigation systems, processing facilities, and land preparation efforts. Engaging directly with engineers and field teams, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all project components are executed as planned.
Since assuming office, the minister has maintained a hands-on approach to the Tormabum project, with this latest visit marking another in a series of monthly oversight missions to provide strategic direction and high-level supervision.
Building on the momentum in Tormabum, Dr. Kpaka is set to extend his monitoring activities to Gbondapi in Pujehun District, where he will assess similar agricultural projects to ensure they align with the government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative.
