Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. President Julius Maada Bio, in his State Opening address to the nation on Thursday, July 7, 2025, announced a 20% decline in the price of rice and a reduction in the country’s dependency on imported food.
The announcement was part of his broader assessment of Sierra Leone’s progress in agriculture under his governance Feed Salone programme.
President Bio attributed the reported improvements to ongoing efforts under the Feed Salone initiative, which aims to increase domestic agricultural productivity, improve food security, and modernize farming practices across the country.
The programme includes the introduction of technology in farming, infrastructural development, and farmer support mechanisms.
According to the president, Sierra Leone has also reached self-reliance in onion production, with locally grown onions now reportedly exceeding imports.
He further noted the launch of a national crop insurance scheme. Reportedly, the country first aimed at mitigating risks for farmers and aligning with international agricultural standards.
Additional developments cited in the president’s address include the construction of 450 kilometers of feeder roads intended to improve market access for rural farmers.
He also referenced the biometric registration of over 300,000 farmers through a new digital e-farming support system designed to enhance accountability and efficiency in agricultural service delivery.
The Feed Salone initiative forms part of the government’s broader rural development and economic independence agenda. While the government has outlined these milestones as signs of progress, independent verification of the full economic and social impact of the initiative is ongoing.
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