By Christian.conteh@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector has achieved remarkable progress toward self-sufficiency in rice production, driven by a significant rise in domestic output and a sharp decline in imports. According to a 2024 data from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, rice imports have dropped by over 60% in the first eight months of 2024 compared to 2022, reflecting the country’s growing capacity to meet its own rice needs.
In 2021, Sierra Leone imported approximately 380,000 metric tons (MT) of rice, with imports peaking at 430,000 MT in 2022. However, in 2023, imports plummeted to below 250,000 MT, marking a notable 60% reduction by mid-2024 compared to 2022 levels. This dramatic decline underscores the country’s increasing self-sufficiency in rice production. Correspondingly, the value of rice imports followed a similar trajectory, falling from an estimated USD 180 million in 2022 to a reduction of 25% by 2023.
Growth in Domestic Production- The surge in domestic rice production has been a key factor in this reduced dependence on imports. In 2023, Sierra Leone expanded its area under rice cultivation by 9.5%, from 554,401 hectares in 2022 to 607,207 hectares. This expansion, coupled with improved farming practices, resulted in a 35.2% increase in paddy rice output, rising from 947,464 MT in 2022 to 1,280,576 MT in 2023.
In terms of yield, productivity improved from 1.9 MT per hectare to 2.1 MT per hectare, reflecting better efficiency in the sector. Additionally, milled rice production saw a jump from 568,479 MT to 691,511 MT, indicating improved post-harvest processing and milling practices. These gains were largely attributed to the Feed Salone initiative, which has focused on providing timely access to inputs, machinery, and financial support to farmers.
Investments and Support for Farmers- The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAFS) played a crucial role in supporting 91,982 farmers, 43.7% of whom are women during the 2024 planting season. These farmers benefited from targeted support, including access to seeds, machinery, and technical expertise, which contributed to the productivity boost.
Infrastructure investments were another critical component of this success. The government completed the construction of 200 kilometres of feeder roads and four rural bridges, enhancing market access and reducing transportation costs for farmers.
To further support the sector, the government launched several agricultural finance instruments totalling more than USD 28 million. These included a USD 10 million credit facility from the Bank of Sierra Leone, offering loans at a favourable 10% interest rate to boost agricultural productivity. Other initiatives, such as the Seed Systems Roadmap developed with the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), focused on multiplying high-yield seed varieties, ensuring that no rice seeds were imported for the second consecutive year.
Path to Rice Self-Sufficiency- With the current self-sufficiency rate for rice at approximately 64%, Sierra Leone has made significant strides toward closing the gap between domestic production and national consumption. The Feed Salone program, with its focus on increasing productivity, enhancing infrastructure, and providing financial support, is expected to further accelerate this progress in the coming years.
Looking ahead, the government plans to continue scaling up investments in infrastructure, irrigation systems, and seed development to reduce the country’s reliance on rice imports. Additionally, multi-million-dollar projects aimed at livestock and cassava industrialization are expected to diversify agricultural output and create new economic opportunities for Sierra Leone’s farmers, particularly women and youth. CC/22/10/2024
