Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

By Josephine Sesay

Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, minister of agriculture and food security, has praised Port Loko District as a model of agricultural success under the Feed Salone Initiative, citing its significant role in boosting local onion production and lowering prices nationwide.

Speaking at a civic day series Town Hall hosted by the ministry of information and civic education in Port Loko, Dr. Kpaka described the district’s achievements as a milestone in Sierra Leone’s path to food self-sufficiency and economic stability, importing food has strained our currency and resources, he said. Port Loko’s efforts through Feed Salone are helping feed our nation.

On Wednesday 7 May 2025 a major contributor is PC and Sons, a private company that expanded its onion farming from 5 to over 150 hectares with ministry support, this growth has flooded markets with locally grown onions, significantly reducing prices, onions were once scarce and costly, Kpaka noted, Now, thanks to PC and Sons and government backing, our markets are thriving, and prices are affordable.

To foster local pride, the ministry encouraged PC and Sons to brand their onions Lungi Yabas, a name embraced by the company.

Dr. Kpaka also addressed agricultural challenges, particularly machinery maintenance. He commended a Port Loko initiative training over 200 youths in tractor repair, this program creates jobs, fills a critical gap, and reduces reliance on foreign technicians, he said, adding that plans are in place to expand it nationwide.

On rice production, Kpaka reported that over 200,000 hectares have been planted in the district, with irrigation projects underway for an additional 900,000 hectares in Mabureh and Makonteh Chiefdoms.

Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara, deputy minister of fisheries and marine resources, highlighted fish farming’s role in food security. Aquaculture boosts household nutrition and supports Feed Salone’s goals, she said, outlining plans to expand fish farming for families.

The town hall showcased Port Loko’s agricultural progress and rallied community support for national development, cementing the district’s leadership in sustainable food production.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 9th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)