By: Aminata Sesay
Parliament has ratified two agricultural grant agreements worth a combined US$63.85 million to boost local rice production, strengthen agricultural value chains, create jobs and reduce Sierra Leone’s dependence on imported food, amid calls for strict oversight and accountability in the utilization of the funds.
The agreements comprise a US$23.85 million grant from the African Development Fund for Phase One of the Sierra Leone Rice Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone Project and a US$40 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank for the Sustainable Agricultural Value Chain Intensification for Growth Project.
Presenting the agreements to Parliament, Deputy Minister of Finance Kadijatu Alie outlined the objectives and expected benefits of the projects, which seek to improve agricultural productivity, expand processing capacity, strengthen market access and attract private sector investment.
The Rice Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone Project will be implemented in Kambia and Port Loko districts, with emphasis on climate-smart rice production, agro-industrial processing and effective project management.
Planned interventions include improving farmers’ access to quality seeds and other agricultural inputs, establishing modern rice-processing facilities and aggregation centres, and providing entrepreneurship and business development training for women and young people.
The project is also expected to strengthen links between farmers and processors, improve access to finance and encourage private investment across the rice value chain.
The second agreement will support the intensification of agricultural value chains through improved access to quality inputs, climate-smart farming practices, digital agricultural services and financing for farmers and agribusinesses.
Its interventions will include strengthening agricultural research and seed certification, improving market access for locally produced commodities, developing digital systems for farmers and expanding access to credit for agricultural enterprises. The project will also incorporate environmental and social safeguards, alongside monitoring mechanisms and procedures for addressing complaints.
Both projects are expected to contribute to food security, job creation, increased farmer incomes and poverty reduction in rural communities, in line with the government’s Feed Salone agricultural flagship programme.
However, the parliamentary debate focused heavily on accountability, with lawmakers stressing that the approval of donor-funded agreements must translate into measurable improvements in agricultural production and the livelihoods of farmers.
Opposition Leader Daniel Koroma questioned the outcomes of previous agricultural financing agreements approved by Parliament, arguing that Sierra Leone continued to rely heavily on imported rice despite years of donor-funded interventions.
He urged the government to ensure that the latest grants deliver tangible results, particularly for farmers and rural communities in rice-producing districts.
Koroma maintained that Sierra Leone possessed sufficient land, labour and agricultural potential to produce enough rice for domestic consumption, but expressed concern that successive interventions had failed to eliminate the country’s dependence on imported rice.
He also called for close parliamentary monitoring of project implementation, particularly to ensure that compensation and resettlement packages reach communities affected by project activities.
The opposition leader urged members of Parliament, especially those serving on relevant oversight committees, to scrutinize the agreements beyond the ratification stage and hold implementing institutions accountable for delivering the promised results.
Despite his concerns, Koroma supported the agreements, describing them as important to the Feed Salone agenda and calling for collective action to strengthen domestic rice production.
Acting Leader of Government Business and Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Kekura Vandi, said the committee would seek comprehensive information from the Ministry of Finance on loans and grants received over the years, including their intended purposes and how the funds had been utilized.
He stressed that Parliament had a duty to scrutinize public finances and ensure that grants and borrowed funds were used transparently and in the best interests of Sierra Leoneans.
Vandi also cited figures indicating progress in domestic rice production. He said rice self-sufficiency had increased from 62 per cent in 2022 to 73 per cent, while paddy production reached 1.44 million metric tonnes in 2025.
He further reported that rice imports had declined from US$177 million to US$154 million, presenting the figures as evidence of progress towards reducing the country’s reliance on imported rice.
Other figures highlighted during the debate included the expansion of rice cultivation to 611,000 hectares, the deployment of 40 tractors for the 2026 planting season and the operation of 10 community rice mills.
According to Vandi, the mills had processed approximately 1,302 metric tonnes of locally produced rice by August 2026. He also stated that the Armed Forces had purchased 450 metric tonnes of locally produced rice through the National Green Reserve.
Vandi acknowledged the concerns raised by lawmakers and assured Parliament that the relevant ministries would be asked to provide information on the utilization of public resources and the implementation of agricultural projects.
He maintained that, despite the need for stronger oversight, Sierra Leone should continue supporting initiatives designed to increase agricultural production, improve food security and strengthen the national economy.
The debate further underscored the need for ministries, departments and agencies to comply with the conditions attached to donor-funded agreements within stipulated timeframes to avoid implementation delays or the loss of funding opportunities.
Lawmakers emphasised that relevant institutions must coordinate effectively to fulfil these requirements and ensure that project resources reach their intended beneficiaries.
Following the debate, Parliament ratified the two agreements, paving the way for the projects to proceed towards implementation.
The approval marks another step in the government’s drive to transform agriculture under the Feed Salone programme. However, lawmakers’ concerns have placed renewed emphasis on transparent financial management, effective implementation and sustained parliamentary scrutiny to ensure that the US$63.85 million in grants delivers concrete benefits for farmers and communities across Sierra Leone.