The Minister of Finance, Mr. Jacob Jusu Saffa, confirmed the government spends huge amount on the purchase of imported rice for the security forces. In a bid to reduce this pressure on the New Direction Government, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) will start growing its rice as this will partly substitute imported rice provided to the Military.

The Minister of Finance in a statement to the House of Parliament Friday 8th November 2019, while reading the government budget for the Financial Year 2020, Mr. Saffa said with technical support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the Agricultural Unit of the Military will be supported to cultivate 5,000 hectares of land, with an expected yield of three metric tons per hectare, total production estimated at 15,000 metric tons. It is projected rice consumption by the security forces will be produced locally in three years.

To support the implementation of the National Agricultural Transformation program, the Government is allocating Le348.8 Billion to the agriculture sector, accounting for 6 percent of the total primary expenditure. Mr. Saffa explained that of this, Le38.9 Billion is from the recurrent budget to support the rehabilitation of existing plantations, rehabilitation of inland valley swamps, procurement of livestock and animal vaccines, fertilizers and seedlings, as well as support the fertilizer regulatory agency and the seed certification agency.

The Minister stressed that government through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, with strong technical support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, will provide assistance in the form of tractors, improved seedlings, processing equipment, and training in extension services to the country's youth, in selected chiefdoms in all districts. In the area of Tree Planting and Afforestation, he maintained that there is worrying evidence of deforestation for varying purposes.

The government will launch a National Afforestation Program implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Include the provision of improved variety tree seedlings, tools and equipment, training and civic education and social mobilization for environmental protection. The program will initially target 10,000 youths, of which 50 percent women.

The 2020 Budget focuses on consolidating human capital development and stimulating the economy to create job opportunities, especially for the youths.

The theme of this year`s Budget, 'Fiscal Consolidation for Human Capital Development and Job Creation.' The Finance Act, 2020 bill was debated and passed into law, on Tuesday 12th November 2019. The Minister of Finance; Jacob Saffa said the Act seeks to provide for the imposition, and alteration of taxes to affect the financial proposals of the Government. And to provide for other related matters for the 2020 fiscal year.

The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis contributed to the debate. The Opposition Leader, Hon. Chernor R.M Bah said that the All Peoples Congress (APC) Party would support the Act. He also expressed hope for an economic boom by the year 2020.