AYV News, October 7, 2026
A cross-section of retired senior and general-ranking officers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has visited several military-operated rice and cashew farm sites across the country, commending the Armed Forces for contributing to the Government’s Feed Salone Initiative.
The retired officers, who visited the farms on October 2, 2026, were accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Kemoh Tewoh Sesay.
During the tour, the ex-servicemen expressed satisfaction with the progress and growth of rice and cashew crops at the various sites. They also commended the Deputy Minister of Defence, Director General of the Ministry of Defence and RSLAF leadership for what they described as an important initiative supporting food security and agricultural transformation.
The RSLAF currently has a total of 4,837 acres of rice and cashew farms across six locations in Port Loko, Tonkolili, Moyamba and Bonthe districts.
The farms comprise 565 acres of cashew at Makallay, 215 acres of rice at Mankara and 366 acres at Rumbeh, all in Port Loko District; 691 acres of rice at Masang in Tonkolili District; 1,500 acres at Yoni in MoyambaDistrict; and another 1,500 acres at Tormabum in Bonthe District.
The initiative forms part of the RSLAF’s contribution to the Government’s Feed Salone agenda, one of the country’s Big Five Game Changers, which focuses on food security and agricultural transformation.
During a recent tour of the farm sites, Deputy Minister of Defence, retired Colonel Muana Brima Massaquoi, said the RSLAF’s involvement in food production was supported by Section 165 (2) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991.
According to him, the constitutional provision empowers the Armed Forces not only to provide national security but also to participate in national development, including areas such as food security and agricultural transformation.
“The RSLAF will assiduously work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other partners to achieve the Government’s Feed Salone Initiative,” retired Col. Massaquoi said.
The RSLAF’s agricultural programme is expected to strengthen collaboration between the military and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as Government intensifies efforts to increase domestic food production.
Meanwhile, President Julius Maada Bio is expected to undertake a symbolic rice-harvesting ceremony at one of the RSLAF farm sites later this month, according to the statement.
