By Emma Black
As part of his nationwide field visits in preparation for World Food Day, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka visited Mamuntha and Magbass in Tonkolili District today, Monday, September 29, 2025. the Minister engaged with stakeholders to discuss the upcoming World Food Day celebration, monitor agricultural progress, highlight successful farming models, and reaffirm the government’s commitment to transformative, results-oriented growth under the Feed Salone initiative.
During the visit, Minister Kpaka met with Mr. Bisman Kamara, a dedicated rice farmer supported by the World Bank-funded Food System Resilience Program (FSRP) under the Ministry. Mr. Kamara is cultivating over 500 hectares equivalent to more than 1,200 acres of rice, with projected yields of approximately 4 metric tons per hectare, or 80 bags per hectare. At full capacity, this effort promises a substantial boost to Sierra Leone’s rice supply, serving as a striking example of local agricultural potential.
Mr. Kamara inspired fellow farmers, urging Sierra Leoneans to embrace agriculture as a profitable and sustainable business venture. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry and its partners for the support that has enabled such large-scale farming, stating, this collaboration has opened doors to what we can achieve together. An integral part of Minister Kpaka’s tour is to spotlight success stories like Mr. Kamara’s, motivating other farmers and ensuring that government assistance yields tangible improvements in food security.
This engagement marked the conclusion of a week-long series of field visits across the north and northwest regions, with the Minister walking alongside farmers to drive agricultural transformation where it counts most in the fields. Following the Tonkolili visit, Minister Kpaka joined stakeholders in Makeni City to commemorate World Rabies Day, themed Act Now, You, Me Community. The event emphasized responsible pet ownership, a multi-sectoral approach, vaccination drives, and comprehensive education as key steps toward eradicating rabies by 2030. The gathering united students, religious leaders, and local authorities in a collective effort to address this public health challenge.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 1st October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
