To enhance local rice production, the World Food Programme (WFP) Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art rice milling house in Rokupr, Kambia. The official launch, held on February 20, 2025, was led by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, alongside representatives from WFP and local Farmer-Based Organizations.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at improving rice processing, reducing post-harvest losses, and increasing farmer incomes. Traditional rice milling methods have often resulted in significant grain losses and lower-quality rice. However, the introduction of high-tech rice processing facilities is expected to improve efficiency, enhance rice quality, and make locally produced rice more competitive in the market.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural value chains and achieving rice self-sufficiency in Sierra Leone.
“For too long, our farmers have relied on outdated processing techniques that lead to high post-harvest losses. This investment not only equips them with modern tools to add value to their produce but also marks a critical step towards realizing the Feed Salone vision—a food-secure Sierra Leone where local production meets national demand,” he stated.
The Rokupr facility is the first of ten milling houses set to be established across Sierra Leone under this initiative. The project is being implemented through a partnership between WFP, the Government of Japan, and Satake, a globally renowned Japanese agricultural technology company.
WFP Sierra Leone Country Director, Yvonne Forsen, underscored the significance of the initiative in supporting smallholder farmers and ensuring food security in the country.
“This project is a game-changer for smallholder farmers. By improving processing efficiency and rice quality, we are not only increasing farmers’ incomes but also ensuring that more locally grown rice reaches school meals through the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme,” she noted.
The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, supported by WFP and the Government of Sierra Leone, sources food directly from smallholder farmers to provide nutritious meals for schoolchildren. The introduction of modern rice milling houses will further strengthen this initiative by ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality, locally milled rice.
Farmers in Kambia have expressed enthusiasm about the new facility, emphasizing that it will save time, reduce losses, and enable them to secure better prices for their rice. With nine more milling houses set to be rolled out in key rice-producing districts, this initiative is expected to play a crucial role in Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation, aligning with the Feed Salone agenda to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production.
