By: Saidu Jalloh
Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh visited the SLARI’s Land, Water, and Environment Research Centre in Mile 91, Tonkolili District. The visit aimed to assess the research center’s facilities and motivate researchers to enhance their contribution to the President’s FEED SALONE agenda.
Dr. Sengeh expressed his delight in seeing young and vibrant researchers whom he believed had the capability to contribute significantly to the government’s Feed Salone agenda and further emphasized the role of SLARI in this drive.
Dr. Sengeh stressed the need for collaboration with the nation’s seed certification agency, SLeSCA, as these two institutions are key players in achieving food security in the country. He assured SLARI of the President’s support for agricultural research.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of SLARI, Dr. Martha Williams-Ngegba, Officer in Charge of SLARI’s Land Water and Environment Research Centre in Mile 91, thanked the Chief Minister and his entourage for the visit. She explained SLARI’s mandate with specific references to the mandate of each of the constituent centres. Dr. Williams-Ngegba highlighted some of SLARI’s contributions to the country’s food systems, as technologies released by SLARI are cascaded to farmers, increasing their yields.
While conducting a tour of the facility, Dr. Williams Ngegba highlighted the challenges faced by her centre and SLARI as a whole. She called on the government to intervene to give SLARI an enabling environment for the conduct of quality research.
The Chief Minister stated that Miro Forestry Factory employed over 2,300 people, of whom 40% are women, 70% are between 18 and 30, and 97% are from local communities.
He also gave a public lecture at the Central University of Mike 91, encouraging students to be more focused and steadfast in their studies.
Closing the session, the Chief Minister reiterated that the President is committed to achieving food security in the country and assured everyone of the government’s continued support for agricultural research.
