Commentary

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jam Jay Farming Company Limited, Denis Jusu, has expressed optimism that rice production could drop by 75 per cent within two years.

CEO Denis Jusu was speaking on behalf of local investors during a meeting with members of the Presidential Council on Feed Salone at State House in Freetown on Thursday 8th October 2035, where His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio officially received the two-year report on the implementation of the Feed Salone initiative from the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka.
Making the presentation, Dr. Henry M. Kpaka briefed the President on key milestones achieved in the second year of the initiative.

The Minister emphasised that Feed Salone continues to advance its five core objectives, with notable improvements and food security.
Among the achievements that Dr. Kpaka highlighted include:
- Increased exhortation of cocoa, cashew, and coffee, boosting foreign exchange earnings
- Training and certification of 175 young tractor drivers, leading to five new machinery service providers in Kono, Bombali, Moyamba and Kambia
- Deployment of 30 combined harvesters and 10 Sakata rice Mills
- Construction of 5,000 hectares of irrigation infrastructure in Turmabum and Gbondapi
- Establishment of the state-of-the-art seed laboratory in Mile 91 by the Sierra Leone Seed Certification Agency (SLeSCA) in collaboration with Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI).

Dr. Kpaka also reported that the World Food Programme (WFP), through government support, procured 2044 metric tons of rice from 12,000 farmers across seven districts, adding that a US$10 million agricultural credit facility has been launched via the Bank of Sierra Leone to encourage private-sector investment in agriculture. The Minister emphasised that the Initiative has led to a steady reduction in rice importation, falling rice price, and improved national food security. In his remarks, President Julius Maada Bio commended the council members for their dedication and reaffirmed that his administration's commitment to agricultural reformation. "We have laid a solid foundation.

Even though we are not yet there, this is a moment," he said. "There is no turning back in our journey to Feed Salone." President Bio stressed the importance of value chain development and pledged continued support to indigenous private-sector players through the credit facility. "We will meet them halfway," President Bio assured.

Speaking on behalf of local investors, Denis Jusu praised the government's support and expressed optimism that rice importation could drop by 75 per cent within two years. He affirmed that the private sector is now taking the lead in making Feed Salone a reality.

The meeting concluded with recommendations for Dr. Kpaka's leadership and meaningful contributions from council members. Meanwhile, the two-year report on Feed Salone will be officially launched by President Bio during World Food Day celebrations in Kambia on 30th October 2025.