AYV News, February 25, 2025
World Food Programme (WFP) Sierra Leone has taken a significant step toward boosting local rice production with the launch of a new milling house equipped with high-tech rice processing machines. The event, held in Rokupr, Kambia, was officiated by Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, alongside representatives from WFP and local Farmer-Based Organizations.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve rice processing, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase farmer incomes. With traditional rice milling methods leading to significant grain losses and lower quality rice, these modern facilities are expected to enhance processing efficiency, improve rice quality, and make local rice more competitive in the market.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Henry Musa Kpaka emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural value chains and achieving rice self-sufficiency in Sierra Leone.
“For too long, our farmers have relied on outdated processing techniques that result in high post-harvest losses. Through this investment, we are not only equipping them with the right tools to add value to their produce, but we are also taking a crucial step towards achieving Feed Salone—our vision for a food-secure Sierra Leone where local production meets national demand,” said Minister Kpaka.
The newly launched milling house in Rokupr, Kambia is the first of ten that will be established across the country under this initiative. The facilities are being provided through a partnership between WFP, the Government of Japan, and Satake, a globally renowned Japanese agricultural technology company.
WFP Country Director in Sierra Leone, Yvonne Forsen, highlighted the importance of the project in supporting local farmers and ensuring food security.
“This initiative is a game-changer for smallholder farmers. By improving processing efficiency and rice quality, we are not only increasing farmers’ incomes but also ensuring that more locally grown rice reaches school meals through the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme,” she stated.
The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, supported by WFP and the Government of Sierra Leone, sources food directly from smallholder farmers for use in school meals. The introduction of these milling houses will strengthen this initiative by ensuring a steady supply of high-quality, locally milled rice for schoolchildren.
Farmers in Kambia expressed excitement about the new facility, noting that it will save them time, reduce losses, and help them fetch better prices for their rice.
With nine more milling houses set to be rolled out across key rice-producing districts, this initiative is expected to play a critical role in Sierra Leone’s push for agricultural transformation and self-sufficiency in rice production in line with the Feed Salone government agenda.
