By Abdul Kamara

As Sierra Leone prepares to commemorate World Food Day and the second anniversary of the Feed Salone initiative, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, has embarked on a nationwide field tour to assess progress on agricultural interventions and engage directly with farmers and stakeholders.

The visit, which started today in the north and northwest, will take him to farms, agribusinesses, and district agricultural offices across the country as part of efforts to track results and sustain momentum in the sector.

His first stop was Newton Poultry, a third-generation family enterprise that has transformed from import and distribution into building a modern layer farm. The facility, scheduled to commence operations by the end of October, will house over 22,000 birds and produce an estimated 20,000 to 21,000 eggs per day. With plans to triple its capacity in the near future, Newton Poultry is expected to make a significant impact on Sierra Leone’s egg supply and reduce reliance on imports.

The Minister also visited Leecon Poultry, one of the country’s largest poultry businesses.

Established in 2002, Leecon now manages more than 60,000 birds across its Western Urban and Rural facilities, with expansion projects underway in Bombali, Port Loko, Koinadugu, and Kono. Its hatchery in Makeni the largest in Sierra Leone currently produces 10,000 chicks per week, but is scaling up with support from government, the Qatar Fund for Development, and the World Poultry Foundation to reach a capacity of 90,000 birds. The company employs more than 100 Sierra Leoneans, making a notable contribution to rural job creation.

Minister Kpaka ended the day at the Western Area District Agriculture Office, where he met with staff and volunteers, listened to their concerns, and praised their role in ensuring that Feed Salone is delivered effectively at the grassroots. His nationwide tour is expected to provide a clearer picture of the progress made so far and help strengthen partnerships with farmers and agribusinesses driving the country’s food security agenda.