Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, has announced at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Rwanda that the Torma Bum Rice Industrial Complex requires US$800 million to reach completion.

The Minister disclosed that about US$480 million has been secured with the project expected to reduce Sierra Leone’s rice import dependence by 75%.

The initiative, which includes acquiring farm machinery, developing infrastructure and expanding rice processing facilities, is part of Sierra Leone’s broader efforts to boost local rice production.

Dr. Kpaka also highlighted a US$100 million commitment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support the project.