By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
In a significant step toward improving child nutrition and promoting local agriculture, Minister of Agriculture Henry Musa Kpaka, alongside the Deputy Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), officially launched the distribution of homegrown rice earlier today.
The initiative, which aims to provide nutritious meals to over 270,000 schoolchildren across Sierra Leone, is a core component of President Julius Maada Bio’s Feed Salone strategy. It reflects the government’s deepening commitment to food security, educational support, and the empowerment of local farmers.
By sourcing rice from smallholder farmers, the program not only addresses hunger and malnutrition among school-aged children but also strengthens the rural economy and reinforces the importance of sustainable agriculture.
The launch event was held at the Ministry of Agriculture’s headquarters in Freetown, where Minister Kpaka emphasized the dual impact of the initiative: nourishing the nation’s youth while stimulating local food production.
“This is a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when vision aligns with sound policy and strategic collaboration,” he remarked. “We are not just feeding children; we are building a healthier, more self-reliant future for Sierra Leone.”
A key partner in the implementation of this initiative is the World Food Programme (WFP), whose logistical and technical support has been vital to ensuring that the rice distribution reaches the intended beneficiaries efficiently and effectively.
Kpaka expressed gratitude to WFP for its continued collaboration, noting that such partnerships are essential in scaling national agricultural efforts and reinforcing food system resilience.
This program marks a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s ongoing fight against food insecurity, serving as a model that links educational development with agricultural advancement. The government also plans to expand the model to reach beyond schools and into broader community-based food systems.
With the Homegrown School Feeding Initiative, Sierra Leone is making meaningful strides toward food self-sufficiency, improved educational outcomes, and better long-term health for its future generations.
In conclusion, the country’s renewed investment in local agriculture and education stands as a beacon of hope a testament to a nation determined to build resilience, nourish its people, and secure a more sustainable future.
