The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a leading nonprofit research organization with a presence in Sierra Leone.
Through the partnerships with local institutions like the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) and the Njala Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) at the University of Njala, IITA works to tackle pressing issues in Africa, including hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation.
Bernard Vanlauwe, IITA Deputy Director General for Research for Delivery, highlighted CGIAR’s groundbreaking agricultural innovations, including high-quality cassava flour, Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics for rapid cassava production, digital soil mapping, and the Seed Tracker system.
These advancements hold significant potential for boosting Sierra Leone’s agricultural productivity. Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, outlined the Feed Salone Strategy, which seeks to transform Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector by promoting mechanization, Ag-Tech, climate-smart practices, and empowering youth and women.
The initiative aims to make the country’s food system more resilient and self-sufficient.
IITA remains a key player in addressing poverty and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa.
The institute’s dedication to research-driven innovations and partnerships was reinforced by a distinguished visit from President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, who interacted with IITA’s team in Ibadan, Nigeria.
This meeting marked a crucial step forward for the ‘Feed Salone Program,’ aimed at revolutionizing Sierra Leone’s agriculture. IITA and the Sierra Leonean government’s collaboration highlights a shared vision for improving food security through innovative research and strategic partnerships.
The visit convened key players from Nigeria and West Africa to harmonize approaches and explore synergies that will drive agricultural progress in the region.
