By Dadson Musa
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, officially received a generous donation of 1,380 metric tons of rice from the People’s Republic of China today, the handover ceremony was held at the World Food Programme (WFP) Central Store at Kissy Dockyard in Freetown, marking another milestone in the enduring partnership between the two nations.
The donation, equivalent to 27,600 bags of rice, will be strategically allocated to address two key national priorities, as approved by the Cabinet, of this total, 7,000 bags will be directed to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to provide vital food assistance to artisanal fishing communities, supporting their livelihoods and resilience, the remaining 20,600 bags will be channelled to the Ministry of Basic and senior secondary education (MBSSE) to strengthen the national school feeding programme, ensuring nutritional support for students across the country.
This contribution builds on previous rice donations from China in 2019 and 2023, reflecting a sustained commitment to Sierra Leone’s development. It also follows recent high-level diplomatic engagements, notably the 2024 State Visit of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to China. During the visit, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Chinese counterpart, pledging deeper technical collaboration to advance agricultural innovation and productivity.
In parallel, Sierra Leone is making significant strides in boosting its domestic rice production. Increasing quantities of locally grown rice are now being procured by both the WFP and the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Company (SLPMC), these efforts are laying the groundwork for the upcoming launch of the Homegrown School Feeding Programme, set to be unveiled in the coming weeks, which will further integrate local produce into national initiatives.
This blend of international support and domestic progress underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to food security and sustainable development, with the rice donation serving as a timely boost to both education and coastal communities.