Freetown, 24th September 2026- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), has validated Sierra Leone’s first National Agricultural Insurance Policy, a landmark step designed to shield farmers from economic losses and unlock access to finance. The validation meeting took place at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown on Tuesday, September 23.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, told stakeholders that once finalized, the policy will be submitted to Cabinet for approval and rolled out under the government’s Feed Salone agenda. He explained that priority agricultural value chains will be selected for piloting, ensuring the policy is tested in areas with the greatest potential impact.
Dr. Kpaka described the Agricultural Insurance Policy and the Agricultural Finance Policy as “twin instruments,” noting that effective insurance reduces risks for both farmers and financial institutions. “This will give banks and other lenders greater confidence to finance farmers, driving investment, productivity, and growth in the sector,” he said.
Ayandev Saaha, Lead Consultant from K.M. Dastur & Company Limited, emphasized that the policy development process was inclusive, engaging stakeholders across agriculture and finance. He said agricultural insurance would help farmers manage production risks, sustain their activities, and improve their ability to secure loans.
Stakeholders welcomed the initiative, stressing that government support will be critical to its success. Several participants called for subsidies on insurance premiums, particularly during the early stages of implementation, to encourage adoption and ensure broad coverage.
The validation marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to modernize agriculture, reduce vulnerability to shocks, and empower farmers with tools to thrive in a changing economic landscape.
