By: Saidu Jalloh
In a significant engagement aimed at strengthening agricultural seed systems in Sierra Leone, experts from the Seed Systems Group (SSG) covering West and Central Africa, led by Dr. Issoufou Kapran, paid a courtesy visit to Dr Abdul R. Conteh, the Acting Director General of the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI).
The visit, which took place at SLARI headquarters, was part of a broader effort to review progress and collaborations between SSG and SLARI, specifically focusing on project sites supported by SSG.
The SSG delegation was comprised of Dr. Janatu Veronica Sesay, SSG Country Representative for Sierra Leone; Heline N’dafidina, Farmer Outreach Officer from SSG-Togo; Solange Aokou, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for SSG-West and Central Africa; and Fred Muhhuku, consultant for agro-leaders training. Also present at the meeting were Mr. Thorllie, the Deputy Chief Agriculture Officer, and SLARI Communications Officer, Mr. Moses Sahr Fayiah.
Dr. Issoufou Kapran provided a comprehensive update on SSG’s activities since the team’s arrival in Sierra Leone. He detailed their site visits and interactions with SLARI projects that have benefited from SSG support. He also highlighted the various training sessions SSG has conducted and upcoming programs scheduled before the end of 2024.
These training sessions aim to enhance seed production, distribution, and utilization by both farmers and agro-dealers.
In his remarks, Mr. Thorllie emphasized the importance of focusing training efforts on farmers rather than just agro-dealers. He pointed out that many agro-dealers are not directly engaged in farming, which limits their understanding of the practical challenges farmers face when using the seeds. Mr. Thorllie suggested that special training be designed to encourage agro-dealers to also engage in farming, allowing them to test the seeds themselves before selling them to farmers.
While commending the collaboration between SSG and SLARI, Dr. Conteh highlighted the need for a robust follow-up strategy to ensure that all the activities being implemented are in line with the project’s objectives. He stressed the importance of strengthening communication between all stakeholders to maintain momentum and ensure that the project’s goals are fully realized. SLARI, as a key beneficiary of these initiatives, looks forward to continued cooperation with SSG and its partners to bolster Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for greater synergy between farmers and agro-dealers, more targeted training, and enhanced communication to ensure the successful implementation of the project. Both SSG and SLARI reaffirmed their commitment to working together to improve seed systems in Sierra Leone sustainably.
