Sierra Leone is preparing to export large quantities of food. Is it really possible?

Sierra Leone has invested heavily to become a major player in the international food export market.

The country is located close to Ivory Coast, Ghana and other cocoa producing countries. It also enjoys a similar climate. This means it can be a major exporter of cashew nuts, cassava, rice and cocoa.

The country faces significant challenges. World Food ProgrammeIts population is food insecure to the tune of 82.3 %. Due to a lack of processing infrastructure, it is forced to import large quantities of rice.

The African Development Bank has granted $100 million to the country, which is in addition to the $480 million already received from OPEC and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.

The government's funding is part of a broader plan to transform its food system. The country hopes to create critical infrastructure to first alleviate food security and meet the demand of its population, and then increase exports.

What will this funding be used for?

The African Development Bank funding will be part of a broader plan, the Feed Salone Initiative, which also includes funding from the government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. The plan aims to transform Sierra Leone’s food system by addressing food insecurity and increasing exports.

The cost of the project is estimated at $1.8 billion by Sierra Leone's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka.

What impact will funding have on food security?

Sierra Leone has one of the highest per capita rice consumptions in the world. It is about 131 kg. According to Dr. Kpaka, the country has a rice production of between 65 and 70 %, but due to poor infrastructure, it is forced to import huge quantities to meet any deficits. It is important to note that about a third of the country’s food bill is spent on rice.

According to Dr Kpaka, some of the country's rice is sold to Guinea, Liberia and Senegal. Some farmers even agree to sell the rice before it is grown.

To become self-sufficient in rice, Sierra Leone needs to have agro-industrial zones, roads to facilitate transport and access to energy and irrigation.

These investments will allow for a dramatic increase in production. Take irrigation as an example. According to Dr. Kpaka, irrigation could increase rice production from 2 tonnes per hectare to 4 tonnes.

Agro-industrial zones will be developed with the help of funds from the African Development Bank, in which rice mills and aggregators will be set up. The rice can be purchased, then processed, packaged and sold.

These facilities cannot function without roads and electricity. Roads are useful for transporting rice from production sites to distant cities.

What can Sierra Leone do to increase its exports?

Sierra Leone aims to increase its exports in addition to addressing the pressing issue of food security.

The main objective of the development programme is to attract private investors to Sierra Leone. This development will help create an environment that will encourage private investors to invest in Sierra Leone.

The money we raise must be invested in critical infrastructure for the private sector, enabling them to say that ‘the basics are here’. “We can now invest our money in profit-making projects,” Dr Kpaka continues.

Sierra Leone wants to become a more export-oriented economy. Dr Kpaka hopes that ships currently carrying rice will soon be able to leave the port with cashew nuts, cassava flour and chips, as well as cocoa. Cocoa is the country's main commodity.

Cashew nut production is increasing and has great potential. Processing this commodity requires energy as it requires extensive processing.

Cassava flour is another option. Cassava flour is used as an alternative to wheat flour in the country. Once its production is increased, it could be exportable.

Once the demand gap is filled, rice can be exported.

His ambition is that in about eight years we would like to be able to export the rice that we produce here.