Sierra Leone Strengthens Its Strategic Grain Reserve through FSRP support

Sierra Leone has taken a major step toward strengthening national food security, securing over 10,000 bags of locally produced rice at the Strategic Grain Reserve in Kobia, Kambia District. This milestone, funded by the World Bank supported Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), forms a key component of Feed Salone Pillar 3: Aggregation, Processing, and Market Linkages. It represents a sustainable mechanism to respond to food crises while strengthening the rice value chain.

Hon. Minister of Agriculture Dr Henry Musa Kpaka yesterday visited the facility, which currently holds 10,000 bags with an initial stock of 1,200 MT locally milled rice procured and processed through the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Company and the World Food Programme with . The Minister noted that this initiative has not only created secure markets for farmers but has also helped reduce the illicit export of rice across Kambia’s border points, thereby boosting private sector participation in the Feed Salone program.

The Strategic Grain Reserve is designed to act as a buffer stock—ensuring food availability during emergencies, price fluctuations, and supply shortages—while protecting vulnerable populations from food crises triggered by natural disasters, market failures, or geopolitical instability.

Looking ahead, under the Feed Salone initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) together with the FSRP will establish a 4,000 MT integrated silo system in Gbondapi, Pujehun District. This modern facility will serve as a rice processing hub and storage center, laying the foundation for the creation of a Food Reserve Authority. According to the Minister, the Authority is in progress and will be tasked with managing the initiative, developing sustainable financing mechanisms, and ensuring effective crisis management.

This milestone positions Sierra Leone not only to meet international benchmarks for food security but also to contribute significantly to the performance of the ECOWAS Regional Food Reserve System.