By: Mohamed J. Bangura
Agriculture Minister Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka has highlighted progress under the government’s Feed Salone initiative, citing falling rice prices, affordable garri and the growth of local agricultural businesses as signs of improving food security and expanding economic opportunities in Sierra Leone.
Speaking during an interview with Liberty Online TV on Thursday, 22 October 2026, Dr. Kpaka said the availability and affordability of essential food items demonstrated the potential impact of Feed Salone, despite global economic challenges, including rising fuel-related costs.
The Minister described the decline in rice prices as a significant development, noting that the cost of the staple food was falling despite international challenges affecting fuel, transportation and import costs.
“For the first time, we are seeing rice prices going down rapidly, even though we are witnessing global crises, including fuel challenges that have a major impact on people’s lives,” Dr. Kpaka said.
He also highlighted the affordability of cassava flakes, commonly known as garri, stating that consumers could purchase it for as little as two leones.
According to the Minister, the impact of Feed Salone extends beyond statistics and can be seen in the experiences of ordinary people, particularly farmers, traders and entrepreneurs engaged in agricultural businesses.
To illustrate this progress, Dr. Kpaka cited the example of a woman who started a small-scale poultry business and had expanded her operations over the past three years. He said her experience demonstrated how agricultural enterprises could grow, create economic opportunities and improve livelihoods.
The Minister also pointed to the increasing presence of locally produced food in urban markets, describing it as an encouraging sign of progress in domestic agricultural production and the development of local food supply chains.
Feed Salone is the government’s flagship agricultural initiative aimed at increasing domestic food production, reducing dependence on imports, strengthening agricultural value chains and improving national food security.
The programme seeks to boost agricultural productivity by supporting farmers and agribusinesses, improving access to essential food items, creating employment opportunities and increasing household incomes.
Rice remains one of Sierra Leone’s most important staple foods, making its price a major concern for households, particularly those on low incomes. Any sustained reduction in rice prices could ease pressure on household budgets and allow families to allocate more resources to other essential needs.
However, increasing local production and making domestic rice more competitive remain important challenges. Dr. Kpaka acknowledged that some consumers preferred imported rice because of its taste, highlighting the need for local producers to improve the quality and consistency of locally grown rice.
Improving the availability, quality and competitiveness of domestic rice could encourage greater consumer demand while providing additional support for farmers and businesses throughout the agricultural value chain.
While the Minister’s remarks highlighted encouraging developments under Feed Salone, sustaining lower food prices will depend on several factors, including production costs, transportation, market supply and exposure to international price fluctuations.
As the government continues implementing the initiative, expanding agricultural enterprises, strengthening local food markets and encouraging the consumption of locally produced food will remain central to efforts to improve food security and livelihoods across Sierra Leone.