By Josephine Sesay
In a remarkable stride toward achieving food self-sufficiency, Sierratec Secure Company has hosted a symbolic rice harvesting ceremony at its 2,500-hectare farm in Makari Chiefdom, Bombali District, the event, which showcased the success of large-scale private investment in agriculture, attracted senior government officials, local authorities, and agricultural stakeholders who hailed the company’s contribution to national food security.
Distinguished guests included presidential spokesperson Alhaji Alpha Kanu, resident minister for the North West Region Ambassador Umaru Bun Wurrie, and deputy minister of agriculture Sahr Hemore.
In his keynote address, Alhaji Alpha Kanu lauded Sierratec’s Chief Executive Officer, Sallieu Kanu, for aligning the company’s agricultural initiatives with President Julius Maada Bio’s Feed Salone Agenda. He noted that Sierra Leone’s rice importation has declined in recent years, thanks to both government interventions and the efforts of companies like Sierratec.
Representing President Bio, Ambassador Umaru Bun Wurrie commended Sallieu Kanu’s patriotic investment and urged Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to follow his example, if each district in Sierra Leone had one Sallieu Kanu, our dream of food security would soon become a reality, he said.
Deputy Minister Sahr Hemore emphasized the government’s continued commitment to supporting local agribusinesses through policies that promote access to finance, technology, and capacity building, the ministry of agriculture is determined to help indigenous companies like Sierratec expand their operations and enhance value addition to locally produced food,” he affirmed.
Sierratec’s modern agricultural investment includes advanced machinery for cultivation, harvesting, processing, and distribution, the company is also a key supplier of locally grown rice to the World Food Programme’s School Feeding Initiative, highlighting its integral role in supporting national nutrition and education efforts.
According to Ibrahim Kamara, the company’s manager, government support has been instrumental in Sierratec’s growth and success. However, Chief Financial Officer Chernor Jalloh pointed out that challenges such as stray cattle continue to threaten crop yields, calling for stronger community and policy interventions to protect farmlands.
Despite these challenges, Sierratec plans to expand its farmland to 5,000 hectares in the next planting season a move expected to create more jobs, particularly for young people, the company currently employs about 100 workers and is actively involved in corporate social responsibility initiatives, including providing ploughing services, seeds to smallholder farmers, and supporting rural electrification projects.
The symbolic rice harvest stands as a testament to Sierra Leone’s growing agricultural potential and the power of public-private collaboration in driving sustainable development. As the nation continues to promote local food production, Sierratec’s success story offers a shining example of how strategic investment and innovation can help achieve true food sovereignty.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
