By christian.conteh@awokonewspapersl.com
Port Loko, Sierra Leone – In a remarkable turnaround for Sierra Leone’s food economy, onion prices across the country have dropped by 40%—thanks to a surge in local production led by Port Loko District. Once heavily reliant on imports, the nation is now witnessing the tangible fruits of the government’s Feed Salone initiative.
Agriculture Minister Henry Musa Kpaka says the northern district has become a beacon of progress in Sierra Leone’s push for food self-sufficiency. “There was a time this country faced an onion crisis,” he recalled during a recent town hall in Port Loko, hosted by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education. “But swift action by local farmers and agribusinesses has flooded the market with affordable, homegrown onions. This is more than just about food—it’s about livelihoods, forex stability, and national pride.”
At the heart of this agricultural resurgence is PC and Sons, a local agribusiness that expanded its onion cultivation from a modest 5 hectares to over 150 hectares in under two years—with strong backing from the government. The result? A sharp price drop, increased employment, and a boost in domestic supply that’s helping tame food inflation.
In 2023, Sierra Leone spent an estimated US$270 million on food imports, including staples like rice and onions—putting immense pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves. The growing success in Port Loko is now being seen as a blueprint for reversing that trend.
“With production ramping up locally, we’re not only cutting down the import bill but also easing the cost burden on ordinary Sierra Leoneans,” said Kpaka. Reports of onion prices falling by as much as 40% over six months are giving families much-needed relief at the market stall.
To build local pride and create market distinction, the Ministry has introduced a unique branding for the onions: “Lungi Yabas”—a nod to their regional origin and a call to support homegrown produce.
But the Feed Salone campaign isn’t just about harvesting crops. It’s also about planting the seeds of sustainability. One innovative component is a local training programme where a machine operator in Port Loko is mentoring over 200 youths in tractor repair and maintenance.
“This is a game changer,” said the Minister. “If we’re going to grow more, we also need to fix our own machines. It’s about empowering youth and reducing our reliance on foreign technicians.”
Meanwhile, the onion boom is only part of the story. Over 200 hectares of rice have already been planted in Port Loko, with irrigation infrastructure underway for an additional 900 hectares in Mabureh and Makonteh Chiefdoms—part of a broader strategy to cut rice imports, which remain the country’s single largest food expense.
As the Leone continues to battle inflation and external shocks, agriculture is emerging as a lifeline. The Feed Salone Initiative, if fully realized, could transform Sierra Leone’s food landscape—one hectare at a time.
In Port Loko, that vision is no longer just a policy on paper—it’s a harvest in the hands of the people. CC/9/5/2025
