Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector remains central to millions of livelihoods, employing a significant proportion of the population. Yet, it continues to face persistent challenges, including low productivity, limited access to improved inputs, climate variability, and weak market linkages. These constraints have contributed to food insecurity and a heavy reliance on food imports, underscoring the urgent need for a coordinated and systems-based transformation of the sector.
In response, the Government of Sierra Leone launched the Feed Salone Strategy as a flagship national initiative to drive agricultural growth, enhance food self-sufficiency, and create economic opportunities, particularly for smallholder farmers, women, and youth. The strategy prioritizes key value chains, promotes climate-smart agriculture, and strengthens institutions across the country’s agricultural ecosystem.
To support the effective implementation of this agenda, IITA–CGIAR is providing technical assistance through a World Bank-funded Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP). The program aims to strengthen food system resilience by enhancing productivity, improving regional coordination, and building the capacity of national institutions to respond to shocks and long-term challenges.
IITA’s technical assistance focuses on delivering science-based solutions, capacity building, strengthening research-extension linkages, supporting policy and institutional development, and facilitating partnerships that enable the scaling of proven agricultural innovations. Through this integrated approach, the project is helping to translate the Feed Salone vision into tangible outcomes that improve food and nutrition security while building a more resilient agricultural system in Sierra Leone.
Through its technical assistance to the Feed Salone Strategy under FSRP, IITA-CGIAR recently convened stakeholders for the 2nd Annual Review and Planning Meeting for Year three implementation plans in Freetown, Sierra Leone, marking another milestone in the country’s journey toward agricultural transformation and food security.
The annual review and planning meeting, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, brought together key national and international partners, including the Sierra Leone Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), and development partners. The platform provided an opportunity to reflect on achievements, assess implementation progress, and align priorities for the coming year.
Over the past two years, the FSRP-supported technical assistance has recorded significant milestones, contributing meaningfully to the implementation of the Feed Salone Strategy. These achievements have been driven by strong collaboration among key stakeholders, including SLARI, the Sierra Leone Seed Certification Agency (SLeSCA), universities, and private sector actors, ensuring a coordinated and inclusive approach to agricultural transformation.
IITA-CGIAR’s role in providing technical assistance, a critical component of the country’s flagship program, has supported the government in strengthening agricultural systems through research-driven innovations, institutional capacity building, and the deployment of proven technologies. It has also facilitated stronger coordination among national systems and key partners, ensuring that interventions align with the country’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The annual review meeting highlighted progress across several strategic areas, including improved access to agricultural technologies, entrepreneurship and business management skills development, enhanced Agribusiness advisory services, including a mentorship program, establishment of cooperatives for beneficiaries, and capacity strengthening of national research systems. These efforts align with the broader objectives of FSRP, which aim to improve food system resilience, boost productivity, and enhance regional agricultural coordination across West Africa.
Speaking at the meeting, Chief Dr Alfred Dixon emphasized the importance of sustained partnerships and innovation in delivering impact.
“This review meeting reflects our shared commitment to transforming Sierra Leone’s agriculture through science, innovation, and strong partnerships. By working together, we are building resilient food systems that will improve livelihoods and ensure long-term food security,” he said.
Also speaking, Prof Abdulai Jalloh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Feed Salone Strategy, noting that collaboration with IITA and partners is critical to achieving national food sovereignty.
“Feed Salone is a national priority, and partnerships such as this are essential to unlocking the full potential of our agricultural sector. With the support of IITA and our partners, we are laying the foundation for a more productive, resilient, and inclusive food system,” he stated.
Looking ahead, the project is entering its third year of implementation, with a renewed focus on consolidating gains and expanding impact. The team plans to deepen engagement with existing partners while bringing on board new collaborators to ensure that all project objectives are fully achieved.
The meeting concluded with the approval of the work plan and budget for the third year of implementation, signaling continued momentum and stakeholder commitment to delivering measurable results.
As Sierra Leone, IITA-CGIAR, and partners move into the next phase, the focus remains on scaling proven innovations, strengthening institutional systems, and accelerating impact at the last mile.
Contributed by ‘Timilehin Osunde
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