By: Saidu Jalloh
The Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), has concluded a two-week intensive training programme on climate-smart and improved agronomic practices for 12 rice technicians. The training was conducted under the Sierra Leone Rice Systems Capacity Strengthening Project.
Delivered in Kenema District and facilitated by the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute, the programme brought together participants from Kambia, Port Loko, Tonkolili, and Kenema districts. The initiative forms part of the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), which aims to strengthen rice production systems across the country.
Officials stated that the programme builds on bilateral engagements following President Julius Maada Bio’s visit to Vietnam under a South-South cooperation framework, which secured technical support for Sierra Leone’s rice sector.
According to project coordinators, the training is designed to equip technicians with practical skills to support smallholder farmers in adopting climate-smart technologies to boost productivity and household incomes.
The programme covered key agronomic practices, including land development techniques such as bunding, leveling, and water control to improve irrigation efficiency. Participants were also trained in the use of climate-resilient rice varieties, nursery establishment, transplanting techniques, soil fertility management, integrated pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling.
Speaking at the closing session, FSRP Project Manager Kepifri Lakoh said the initiative addresses a major bottleneck in rice production—weak extension service delivery in inland valley swamps. He urged participants to disseminate the knowledge gained and assured them of continued institutional support under the Feed Salone programme.
Director of Agricultural Extension Services, Alpha Yayah Mansaray, noted that the training represents the first batch under the programme and emphasized the need to bridge the gap created by an aging extension workforce. He encouraged the technicians to champion modern farming practices to increase yields and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
One of the participants, Nanday Bangura from Tonkolili District, described the training as transformative and pledged to apply the skills acquired to support farmers in his district.
Authorities indicated that additional batches of technicians are expected to undergo similar training as part of broader efforts to enhance national food security and climate resilience in Sierra Leone’s rice sector.