By Sallieu S. Kanu
Sierra Leone — October 31, 2025: In a powerful show of commitment to agricultural transformation, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio celebrated the second anniversary of the Feed Salone initiative in Kambia by launching a US$105 million Livestock and Livelihood Development Project — a bold investment aimed at accelerating food self-sufficiency and rural prosperity.
The celebration, held at the Kambia Mini Stadium under the World Food Day theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” brought together farmers, traditional leaders, development partners, and government officials. It marked a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s journey to reclaim agriculture as a driver of dignity, innovation, and wealth creation.
President Bio unveiled the Two-Year Feed Salone Progress Report, highlighting tangible gains in local food production. “Two years ago, we launched Feed Salone with a clear message: Grow What We Eat and Eat What We Grow. Today, rice production is rising, imports are declining, and local food is becoming more available and affordable,” he said.
He described agriculture as “the heartbeat of our nation,” and reflected on his personal connection to farming, recalling how it sustained his family and community during childhood.
The newly announced Livestock and Livelihood Development Project — backed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), IFAD, and the OPEC Fund — will expand poultry and cattle farming, improve feed production, and raise rural incomes across Kambia, Port Loko, and Bombali Districts.
To deepen community engagement, President Bio also launched Rural Farmers Radio 98.9 FM, a dedicated platform for sharing agricultural information and amplifying farmer voices.
The President reaffirmed that Feed Salone is central to his government’s Big Five Game Changers, aligning with broader efforts to build a productive, competitive, and peaceful Sierra Leone. “No one should stand aside while others feed the nation. Every Sierra Leonean has a role in Feed Salone,” he declared.
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Country Operations Manager Mr. Omar Davis praised Sierra Leone’s leadership in agriculture, noting that the Bank’s partnership with the country now exceeds $500 million in cumulative approvals — with $255 million currently active. “The approvals recorded in the past five years alone surpass what the Bank approved in nearly six decades before 2020,” he said, citing growing confidence in Sierra Leone’s reforms.
The event concluded with recognition of farmers and local leaders whose contributions have fueled the Feed Salone movement.