Sierra Leone

On Tuesday, 27 January 2026, a consortium comprising the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), and their partners formally launched a technical assistance initiative for the Soil Digital Hub in Sierra Leone. The event took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown.

The initiative aims to achieve strategic alignment between national institutions, development partners, and regional and international research bodies. It focuses on validating the project scope, sequencing priority activities, and strengthening governance arrangements through a clear RASCI framework to guide roles, responsibilities, and decision-making. This approach is intended to ensure coordinated implementation and formal endorsement of a shared roadmap for the Soil Digital Hub.

The launch brought together senior government officials, development partners, researchers, and representatives from IITA, MAFS, SLARI, and Njala University, as well as other key stakeholders. Discussions centered on advancing soil health as a practical and sustainable pathway to reducing production costs and increasing agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers across Sierra Leone. Participants emphasized that improved soil information and management are critical to strengthening the entire agricultural value chain, from input suppliers and extension services to producers and agro-processors.

During the engagement, ISRIC highlighted its contribution through technical backstopping and capacity strengthening delivered via IITA. The collaboration is designed to build local expertise, improve access to modern soil data, and ensure that global knowledge and tools are effectively adapted to Sierra Leone’s conditions, with lasting impact for farmers and institutions alike.

The FSRP Project Manager, Dr. Kepifri Lakoh, recalled that the Soil Digital Hub originated from a formal request submitted two years earlier by Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka on behalf of MAFS. He explained that the initiative was designed to address persistent soil fertility constraints, close information gaps, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making in agricultural planning and production. He further noted that the project will build the skills of young Sierra Leonean scientists in soil health management, while reinforcing national research and development systems over the long term.

Dr. Lakoh also announced that FSRP has signed two Memoranda of Understanding with IITA to support the Government of Sierra Leone’s flagship agricultural transformation agenda, the Feed Salone Initiative. These agreements provide a framework for sustained technical cooperation, technology transfer, and institutional strengthening that benefit farmers, researchers, and policymakers.

The inception meeting marked the formal engagement of the Soil Digital Hub, funded by FSRP and implemented through collaboration among IITA, MAFS, SLARI, and Njala University. Under the MoU between IITA and FSRP, IITA will upgrade the existing Soil Digital Hub developed by SLARI and Njala University, integrating advanced technologies to improve soil data generation, analysis, and use. This upgrade will enhance advisory services for extension agents, input suppliers, and producers by enabling more accurate, location-specific recommendations.

Addressing participants, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security commended the initiative for tackling the long-standing challenge of blanket fertilizer application in Sierra Leone. He explained that the integration of artificial intelligence and big data analytics into the Soil Digital Hub will allow for site-specific fertilizer recommendations based on local soil conditions. According to the Minister, this innovation will help farmers apply the right inputs at the right rates, reduce unnecessary costs, improve yields, and increase farm incomes, while promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

The Minister further acknowledged the contribution of soil scientists from Njala University involved in the National Comprehensive Soil Survey, which provides the foundational data for the Soil Digital Hub. He described the initiative as a major step toward modernizing the agricultural sector, strengthening resilience across the food system, and improving coordination among public institutions, research organizations, and development partners.

Concluding the discussions, Dr. Lakoh encouraged stakeholders to adopt government-led arrangements to ensure the sustainability of the Soil Digital Hub beyond the lifespan of FSRP financing. He emphasized national ownership, institutional integration, and long-term financing as critical factors for maintaining and expanding the platform.

Overall, the Soil Digital Hub initiative represents a strategic investment in science, technology, and human capacity. By strengthening collaboration among IITA, FSRP, MAFS, SLARI, and their partners, the initiative is expected to deliver tangible benefits to agricultural stakeholders—lower production costs for farmers, improved advisory services, stronger research systems, and more informed policy decisions—thereby supporting data-driven agriculture and the successful implementation of the Feed Salone Initiative in Sierra Leone.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security has launched the Ministry’s 2026 service delivery activities with a symbolic harvest of sweet peppers and the handover of four irrigated greenhouses to the Njala community. The initiative marks a practical step toward strengthening domestic food production and supporting local producers across Sierra Leone.

The greenhouses were provided under the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), financed by the World Bank, with the objective of improving agricultural research, innovation, and climate-smart production systems. Beyond their academic use, the facilities are intended to generate direct and indirect benefits for Sierra Leonean producers by testing improved production practices that can be adopted by farmers nationwide.

During the handover, the Minister emphasized that investments in protected vegetable production are particularly relevant for smallholder farmers. Greenhouse technologies allow producers to cultivate vegetables throughout the year, reduce losses linked to climate variability, improve yields per unit area, and ensure more stable supplies to local markets. These advantages are expected to translate into higher and more predictable incomes for farmers, while also improving the availability of nutritious foods for consumers.

The Minister further noted that vegetable production offers accessible entry points for women and young people, given its relatively short production cycles and lower labour requirements compared to some staple crops. Lessons learned from the Njala greenhouses are expected to inform extension services, seed selection, water management, and pest control practices that can be scaled up for producers in different agro-ecological zones of the country.

The FSRP Project Manager explained that situating modern infrastructure at Njala University creates a link between research, training, and farmers’ needs. Data and experience generated through the greenhouses will support evidence-based recommendations for producers, including climate-resilient varieties, efficient irrigation techniques, and improved post-harvest handling. This approach is designed to strengthen farmers’ capacity to adapt to climate shocks while remaining competitive in domestic markets.

Receiving the facilities, the Vice-Chancellor of Njala University highlighted their role in strengthening teaching, applied research, and community outreach. He noted that the university will work closely with surrounding farming communities to ensure that knowledge and technologies developed on campus are transferred to producers and contribute to national agricultural development.

The West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), has funded the construction of an ultra-modern Fertilizer Testing Laboratory at Njala University — the first of its kind in Sierra Leone.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place today at Njala University’s Mokonde Campus, bringing together key stakeholders including farmers, the National Fertilizer Regulatory Agency (NaFRA), FSRP representatives, MAFS officials, university authorities, and local community leaders. The event marked a major step towards ensuring the quality and suitability of fertilizers used across the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, FSRP Project Manager Dr. Kepifri Lakoh emphasized the critical role fertilizers play in boosting national food production. He said the establishment of a state-of-the-art laboratory is vital to guarantee that fertilizers used in Sierra Leone are properly tested and adapted to the nation’s diverse ecological conditions.

Njala University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alhaji Mohamed Bashiru, commended President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership for prioritizing fundamental issues of sustainable agricultural development. He noted that the new facility will not only enhance academic research and training but also contribute significantly to the government’s Feed Salone initiative.

Dr. Andrew Koroma, Head of NaFRA, expressed appreciation to the World Bank funded FSRP for supporting the construction of critical agricultural infrastructure. He assured that once completed, the facility will be efficiently utilized to ensure the effective regulation, management, and productive use of fertilizers across Sierra Leone.

Over the past two years, the World Bank–funded Food System Resilience Program (FSRP) has been supporting the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) to expand large-scale rice production—helping the government cut down the heavy burden of rice importation. Before 2023, Sierra Leone spent nearly $250 million annually to import rice for government institutions, including the Military, Police, and Correctional Services.

According to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, the government is taking deliberate steps under the Feed Salone initiative to significantly reduce rice imports. A special agricultural unit has also been established within the RSLAF to champion agriculture and rural development.

In 2023, FSRP supported the RSLAF with seeds, fertilizer, and mechanization services such as land preparation and harvesting—enabling the military to cultivate over 200 hectares of rice. With similar support in 2024, production doubled. However, sustaining production at this scale remains critical to meeting the food demands of the military and other institutions.

The Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, noted that these efforts have already contributed to reducing national rice imports to $160 million, even though machinery constraints persist.

To sustain and expand production, FSRP has in 2025 linked the RSLAF to input dealers and mechanization service providers, strengthened their extension capacity, and facilitated the signing of MoUs with other institutions to integrate locally produced milled rice into their feeding programs.

According to Lt. Col. Habib Jah, “We are committed to the Feed Salone agenda to reduce government expenditure and enhance economic growth. Since partnering with FSRP, our struggles to access basic inputs like seeds, fertilizer, and machinery have been addressed. From the proceeds of the past two years, we have even purchased a tractor. With this progress, we plan to cultivate 500 hectares next year.”

The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), organised a five-day training course for cassava seed producers from 6 to 11 October 2025 at Taiama Resort, Taiama Junction, Moyamba District.

The training strengthened the capacities of farmers, research technicians and private sector actors involved in cassava seed multiplication and distribution across the country. The objective was to improve the production of high-quality cassava seed to support national food security efforts and contribute to the Feed Salone initiative.

During the opening session, SLARI Deputy Director General Rev. Dr Prince E. Norman emphasised that this initiative was helping to improve the cassava value chain by providing farmers with scientific advice and better planting materials. IITA representative Dr Thank God highlighted the importance of cassava for employment and agro-industrial growth in Sierra Leone, while FSRP representative Mr Mohamed Sippo praised the collaboration between the three institutions.

Dr Janatu Veronica Sesay of the Sierra Leone Seed Certification Agency (SLeSCA) emphasised the importance of seed certification in ensuring quality and protecting farmers.

Throughout the week, participants learned about cassava seed production standards, disease management, field inspection and post-harvest handling. The training ended with a symbolic seed handover and a field day dedicated to cassava, marking a concrete step towards strengthening the cassava seed system in Sierra Leone.

The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), through one of its branches, the Rokupr Research Centre in Kambia District, released 30 improved high-yielding varieties with support from the World Bank-funded Food Systems Resilience Programme. The release ceremony was conducted by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio. These varieties include maize, rice and cassava (8 varieties of maize, 14 varieties of rice and cassava developed by Sierra Leonean researchers).

The rice varieties released are high-yielding varieties capable of producing 7 to 8 tonnes per hectare, which is a significant increase from the national average of 2 to 3 tonnes.

In his opening speech, President Bio described this release as a scientific breakthrough and a demonstration of his government's commitment to empowering farmers and strengthening national food systems. "The release of these new varieties marks a turning point in our Feed Salone vision. Through research and innovation, we are giving farmers access to seeds that will increase yields, build resilience and ensure food security," he said.

He emphasised that agricultural transformation must be based on science and evidence-based practices, stating that "agriculture is a science."

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing improved seeds to farmers in Sierra Leone. He emphasised that Pillar 2 of Feed Salone focuses on strengthening the seed and input system, and that the new varieties being brought to market would increase productivity, boost farmers' incomes and reduce food imports.

In honour of the President's leadership on food security, a new variety of cassava has been named 'Maada Cassava'.

President Bio, accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture, the Director General of SLARI and the FSRP Project Manager, visited demonstration plots to observe the performance of the varieties.

The ceremony brought together farmers, researchers, development partners and community leaders, all of whom praised the government's investment in agricultural research and innovation.

Sierra Leone has taken an important step towards strengthening national food security by storing more than 10,000 bags of locally produced rice in the strategic cereal reserve in Kobia, Kambia District. This important step, funded by the World Bank-supported West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), is a key component of Pillar 3 of the Feed Salone programme: aggregation, processing and market linkages. It represents a sustainable mechanism for responding to food crises while strengthening the rice value chain.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Henry Musa Kpaka, visited the facility, which currently holds 10,000 bags, with an initial stock of 1,200 tonnes of rice purchased and processed by the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Company and the World Food Programme (WFP). The Minister highlighted that this initiative has not only created secure markets for farmers but has also helped to reduce illicit rice exports at Kambia border points, thereby stimulating private sector participation in the Feed Salone programme.

The strategic cereal reserve is designed to serve as a buffer stock, ensuring food availability in the event of emergencies, price fluctuations and supply shortages, while protecting vulnerable populations from food crises triggered by natural disasters, market failures or geopolitical instability.

Soon, as part of the Feed Salone initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) through the FSRP will establish an integrated silo system with a capacity of 4,000 tonnes in Gbondapi, Pujehun District. This modern facility will serve as a rice processing and storage centre, laying the foundation for the creation of a food reserve authority. According to the minister, this authority is currently being established and will be responsible for managing the initiative, developing sustainable financing mechanisms and ensuring effective crisis management.

This important step enables Sierra Leone not only to meet international food security standards, but also to contribute significantly to the functioning of the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), through the World Bank-funded Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) in West Africa, has handed over 45 new motorcycles to agricultural extension officers in Sierra Leone's agricultural districts.

This initiative aims to strengthen the delivery of extension services at the community level to ensure that farmers, including those in the most remote areas, have quick access to local support, improved practices and modern agricultural techniques.

Welcoming this FSRP initiative, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, stressed that mobility has long been an obstacle for frontline agents. "Too often, our extension workers have struggled to reach farmers in hard-to-reach communities. These motorcycles will enable our agents to travel to train and support farmers with essential services that will transform their productivity," he said.

Dr Kepifri Lakoh, FSRP Project Manager, reaffirmed the programme's commitment to modernising agricultural extension. He highlighted ongoing investments, including the relaunch of the interactive voice response system and the launch of a dedicated call centre for farmers. "When farmers have the right knowledge and tools, they can improve their yields, ensure food security and, ultimately, transform their livelihoods," said Dr Lakoh.

Thanks to these motorcycles, extension agents now have greater means to bring innovation and practice closer together. They can thus bring agricultural knowledge directly to farming families and empower communities to contribute fully to Sierra Leone's Feed Salone vision.

In Sierra Leone, one of the biggest challenges facing young people in the agricultural sector is access to land and finance, which limits their ability to engage in large-scale commercial farming. Yet, with more than 62.5% of the population under the age of 25 and nearly 80% under the age of 35 according to Statistics Sierra Leone, the potential of young farmers to transform the sector and stimulate economic growth is enormous, provided they receive adequate support.

In 2024, the Food System Resilience Programme in West Africa (FSRP) met with the Yormatah Young Farmers Association in the Kono district of eastern Sierra Leone. Initially, the group cultivated a small plot of land and encountered few difficulties. But when the FSRP stepped in to expand their activities to 100 hectares, access to land became an obstacle.

Determined to seize this opportunity, the group negotiated with landowners in the communities of Yordu and Kondeya, agreeing to give them 40% of their income from rice sales in exchange for land. This win-win agreement enabled them to obtain support from the FSRP, which included seeds, fertilisers, mechanisation services and early warning messages through agricultural extension services.

The group is led by Aiah Emmanuel Gborie, a 30-year-old graduate who sees agriculture as a business and a means to prosperity. "The FSRP changed our mindset," explains Emmanuel. "They showed us that farming is a business and that to be successful, we need to think big. Thanks to the inputs, market linkages and training, we are now farming more productively. Farming has become the foundation of my livelihood."

With this support, the group harvested 700 50-kg bags of husked rice. In accordance with their agreement, they gave 40 per cent to the landowners, who then encouraged them to sell part of their harvest to the World Food Programme (WFP) for cash income. Thanks to a memorandum of understanding signed between the FSRP, WFP and the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Company, farmers like Emmanuel now have a guaranteed buyer at competitive prices.

On behalf of the landowners, Chief Tamba Fasuluku Karkamoe congratulated the young farmers for transforming fallow land into a source of food and income. "They have shown us how productive the land can be when cultivated. We are ready to make more land available for large-scale agriculture," he said.

This partnership is not only transforming lives, it is also strengthening the Feed Salone initiative, as locally grown rice is increasingly being used to supply government institutions and support national programmes such as school feeding (School Canteens). By placing young people at the heart of its activities, the FSRP is demonstrating that with access to land, inputs and markets, young people can drive Sierra Leone's agricultural transformation, feeding the nation while creating sustainable livelihoods.

Tomatoes, one of the most consumed vegetables in Sierra Leone, are the focus of the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), with the country aiming to produce 27,000 tonnes by 2026, up from 25,000 tonnes in 2021.

Driven by growing demand for fresh and processed tomatoes, the sector has grown by 2.8% annually since 2017. However, challenges such as climate change, lack of post-harvest infrastructure and the impact of COVID-19 have slowed progress. Despite this, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), with support from the World Bank and GAFSP, is banking on the resilience of smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people, to modernise the tomato value chain.

"The tomato sector is largely driven by women," said Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture. "This alone shows the potential we have to transform agriculture into an activity that empowers families and communities. Through the FSRP, we are committed to modernising this sector to attract investment and achieve food sovereignty."

In 2024, the FSRP gave a significant boost to tomato production by distributing tomato seeds, compost, fertilisers and extension services to farmers. Twenty modern vegetable gardens (MVGs) were created at 17 sites in eight districts, equipped with greenhouses and vegetable storage facilities. This support benefited 4,488 farming households (approximately 26,928 people), 47% of whom are women.

A strategic memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) also enables the construction of solar-powered boreholes to irrigate the MVGs, ensuring year-round production despite climate change.

One success story is Emma Bangura, a disabled woman who has found a new purpose in life thanks to the FSRP.

"Before, I used to beg on the streets. My children even had to drop out of school because I couldn't pay the school fees," Emma says emotionally. "But when the FSRP reached out to me in 2025, my life changed. Thanks to the greenhouse, seeds and support, I turned my wheelchair into a farming tool. Today, my children are back in school. Farming is not charity, it is a source of independence."

Mary Mani, a commercial tomato producer in Lungi, is another pioneer. Hired by the FSRP to mentor smallholder farmers, she uses her greenhouse as a training centre.

“Tomatoes are very sensitive to climate change,” Mary explains. “Thanks to the FSRP, we started with just one greenhouse, and with the income generated from sales, we were able to add another one.

Farmers now have guaranteed access to inputs and the market. Our future looks brighter than ever.

Although the sector peaked in production in 2022 with 20.2 tonnes, fluctuations remain a major problem preventing the sector from reaching its full potential. However, experts agree that with targeted investments, climate-appropriate infrastructure and strategic partnerships, Sierra Leone is on track to meet or even exceed its tomato demand projections for 2026.

"When government efforts are combined with donor investment and community ownership, we are no longer just growing agricultural products, we are growing the future," said Dr Kpaka.

As the FSRP continues to build resilient food systems across Sierra Leone, the tomato sector stands out as a model of transformation, lifting households out of poverty, promoting inclusive growth and bringing hope with every harvest.