The Faith Healing Agricultural Project, led by Rev. Pst. Francis A. M. Mambu, has showcased its rice harvest from 600 acres of farmland and unveiled 1,000 bags of locally produced rice for sale as part of efforts to support the Government’s Feed Salone initiative, strengthen food security and empower rural women through agriculture.
The harvest launch and agricultural value chain showcase, held at the project’s farm on Friday, 23 October 2026, highlighted progress in rice cultivation, processing, packaging and marketing, with support from the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), a World Bank-funded initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The locally produced rice is available in 10kg, 25kg and 50kg bags, selling at NLe 200, NLe 500 and NLe 1,000 respectively.
Addressing the gathering, Rev. Pst. Francis A. M. Mambu explained that the initiative was established to increase agricultural production, create employment opportunities and improve rural livelihoods while contributing to the Government’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported rice.
He described the preparation of 1,000 bags for sale as an important achievement, demonstrating the project’s growing capacity to move beyond cultivation into processing, packaging and commercial distribution.
Rev. Pst. Francis A. M. Mambu said the project reflected his commitment to combining Christian ministry with practical community development, particularly through agriculture and women’s economic empowerment.
He disclosed that the initiative had expanded from supporting three villages to reaching 10 villages, benefiting approximately 600 women through agricultural activities, microfinance assistance and other livelihood programmes.
According to him, the support enables women to generate income, meet household expenses and finance their children’s education. He added that the provision of solar lighting had also improved living and learning conditions in beneficiary communities.
Rev. Pst. Francis A. M. Mambu further disclosed that the project had established another farming centre in Bonthe District, where approximately 300 acres of rice were being cultivated. He explained that the main facility would serve as a central processing centre for rice harvested from the project’s different farming locations.
Despite the progress, he identified high packaging costs, transportation expenses and limited financing as major challenges affecting operations. He explained that delays in obtaining packaging materials had disrupted processing and marketing activities.
He appealed to the Government, development partners and private investors for additional support to expand cultivation, strengthen processing capacity and improve market access.
The Paramount Chief of Makarie Chiefdom in Bombali District, Bai Makarie N’Kolo II, commended the initiative for promoting agricultural development and improving rural livelihoods.
Bai Makarie N’Kolo II emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for farmers and agricultural investors, warning that unresolved land disputes could disrupt farming activities and discourage investment.
He urged traditional authorities, Government institutions and agricultural stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in addressing land-related challenges and protecting agricultural investments.
Representing women from the 10 beneficiary villages, Zainab Rebecca Kamara expressed appreciation for the opportunities created through the project, particularly its support for women’s participation in agriculture and income-generating activities.
Zainab Rebecca Kamara called for continued assistance to sustain the programme and extend its benefits to more women and vulnerable households.
The Project Manager of the Food Systems Resilience Programme, Dr. Kapifri Lakoh, praised the project for expanding agricultural activities and encouraging community participation in domestic food production.
Dr. Kapifri Lakoh acknowledged the support provided through the FSRP matching grant arrangement, including essential farming inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, which had contributed to the project’s development.
He described the initiative as an example of how religious institutions could support national development by mobilizing communities to participate in agriculture.
Dr. Kapifri Lakoh encouraged the Management to expand production and strengthen collaboration with Government institutions and development partners, emphasizing that agricultural investments must deliver direct benefits to farming communities.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, also commended the Faith Healing Agricultural Project for its contribution to rice production, women’s empowerment and national food security.
Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka praised Rev. Pst. Francis A. M. Mambu for using his religious leadership to promote agriculture and practical community development.
He welcomed the cultivation of 600 acres of rice and the preparation of 1,000 bags for commercial sale, urging the project to increase production, improve processing facilities and strengthen market connections.
Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka emphasized that agricultural transformation must extend beyond cultivation to include processing, value addition, commercialization and sustainable employment creation.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the Feed Salone initiative and encouraged religious leaders, traditional authorities and community stakeholders to mobilize greater participation in agriculture.
The Minister maintained that stronger partnerships among Government institutions, development organisations, private investors and farming communities would help increase domestic food production and advance Sierra Leone’s objective of achieving food self-sufficiency.
The harvest showcase demonstrated the potential of linking agricultural production with processing, branding and marketing to strengthen the availability of locally produced rice while creating sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.
