By: Saidu Jalloh
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, on Thursday inspected 40 newly procured tractors at the Ministry’s Engineering Facility in Kissy as part of preparations for the 2026 planting season.
Dr. Kpaka was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Amara Adara Bangura, along with members of the military engineering team. The inspection forms part of an ongoing Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Sierra Leone Armed Forces to support the repair and maintenance of agricultural machinery nationwide.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Kpaka stated that the tractors will be distributed across various districts to enhance mechanized farming and improve agricultural productivity. He noted that the partnership with the Armed Forces is expected to strengthen maintenance systems and extend the lifespan of equipment deployed to farming communities.
Lieutenant General Bangura reaffirmed the military’s commitment to supporting national food production, stating that the Armed Forces are prepared to cultivate up to 10,000 hectares of rice this year. He added that the military is currently retrieving idle and broken-down machines from various districts for repairs, as part of efforts to restore and optimize the country’s agricultural machinery fleet.
The initiative is aimed at boosting food security and ensuring increased agricultural output ahead of the planting season.
