By: Saidu Jalloh
In a strategic move to boost Sierra Leone’s agricultural development, the Director of Agricultural Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), Alpha Yayah Mansaray, is currently participating in a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 15 to 28, 2025.
The two-week intensive training is organized by Farm Input Promotions-Africa (FIPS-Africa) and funded by the Seeds of Change initiative. It focuses on the Village-Based Advisor (VBA) and Small Pack Model an innovative approach designed to enhance smallholder farmers’ access to quality inputs, agronomic knowledge, and sustainable farming practices.
This model has been widely recognized across Africa for its success in improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food security, and encouraging farmer-led technology adoption. It aligns seamlessly with Sierra Leone’s broader efforts to empower rural farmers and transform traditional agriculture into a more commercially viable and climate-resilient sector.
Director Mansaray’s participation in this workshop marks a key step by the Ministry to strengthen local capacity and leadership in scaling up the VBA model across Sierra Leone. The knowledge and skills gained from this training are expected to enhance the Ministry’s ability to deliver impactful, people-centered farmer advisory services.
Beyond the training sessions, Director Mansaray is also engaging in sideline meetings with donors and implementing partners. These discussions aim to mobilize additional support for Sierra Leone’s flagship agricultural program, the Feed Salone Initiative. According to Ministry officials, aligning donor investments with the country’s national development strategy remains a top priority.
These engagements are not only strengthening international partnerships but are also contributing to more coordinated agricultural interventions helping to maximize impact and reduce duplication of efforts across the sector.
Furthermore, the Nairobi training provides Sierra Leone with a valuable platform to showcase its agricultural ambitions while learning from countries that have successfully implemented similar models.
Director Mansaray’s involvement reflects the government’s broader commitment to capacity building, innovation, and evidence-based agricultural reform.
Overall, this regional training presents a timely opportunity to enhance Sierra Leone’s agricultural extension services and accelerate the goals of the Feed Salone Initiative placing farmers at the centre of the country’s development agenda.