By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
On 16 April 2026, President Julius Maada Bio visited the Pee Cee Agriculture onion farm in Lungi, highlighting the growing impact of the Government’s Feed Salone initiative in reducing food imports and expanding rural employment.
The farm, operating under the Feed Salone programme, stands as a practical example of how public-private partnerships can transform local agriculture. Onions, once a major import commodity for Sierra Leone, are now being produced at scale domestically, helping to reduce pressure on foreign exchange while creating jobs for communities in and around Lungi.
During the visit, President Bio observed farm operations firsthand and commended the model for effectively linking private sector investment with national food security objectives. The tour underscored how Feed Salone is translating policy into tangible production outcomes, with the onion farm serving as a replicable model for other crops.
Launched to transition Sierra Leone’s agriculture from subsistence to commercial production, Feed Salone aims to attract private investment, improve infrastructure, and strengthen market access for farmers. The Lungi project demonstrates this strategy in action, with increased yields contributing to more stable supply and potentially lower prices for consumers.
The initiative is now entering a rapid expansion phase, with additional private sector partners expected to participate. The focus remains on building resilient agricultural value chains that retain economic benefits and employment within the country, rather than relying heavily on imports.
For local communities in Lungi, the farm has already become a reliable source of livelihoods. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the next phase will involve expanding similar partnerships to other districts and crops to further reduce the national food import bill.
President Bio reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening private sector collaboration as a key driver of economic diversification and food sovereignty. With Feed Salone gaining momentum, the administration aims to position agriculture as a central pillar of Sierra Leone’s long-term growth strategy.