On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, shared significant updates on the Torma Bum Rice Project via social media platforms.
The project, which aims to bolster local rice production and enhance food security, has achieved several milestones:
Sengeh posted the following updates on Torma Bum:
Two integrated rice mills installed
3 large warehouses installed
4,000 HA large-scale irrigation ongoing
Building a new rice cluster to support the processing, bagging, and branding of rice
Torma Bum rice is available in Torma Bum (over 1,000 bags available).
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of supporting local agriculture with the call to “buy local, eat local, and Feed Salone.”
The Torma Bum Rice Project was officially launched on June 11, 2021, by President Julius Maada Bio as part of the Sierra Leone Regional Rice Value Chain initiative. With an investment of $34.1 million, the project’s primary goal is to achieve rice self-sufficiency and improve the livelihoods of rural households. Key objectives include increasing rice productivity by providing farmers with access to quality inputs, land and water management, mechanization, and extension services. Additionally, the project focuses on enhancing the rice value chain through processing high-quality rice and promoting the consumption and marketing of locally processed rice.
Despite facing challenges, including allegations of mismanagement and funding shortfalls, recent developments indicate progress toward revitalizing the project. The completion of infrastructure and ongoing initiatives reflect a renewed commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector and reducing dependence on rice imports.
The Torma Bum Rice Project represents a significant step toward achieving food security and economic growth in Sierra Leone, with recent advancements marking a positive trajectory for the nation’s agricultural future.
