Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), has reaffirmed the institute’s readiness to revolutionize agriculture and combat food insecurity in Sierra Leone and other African nations. He made this declaration during an official visit by Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Bio, to IITA’s headquarters in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The visit, themed “The Power of Improved Technologies and Public-Private Partnerships to Accelerate the Feed Salone Strategy,” highlighted IITA’s advancements in cassava, maize, soybeans, and other crops that have boosted productivity, increased incomes, and enhanced food security for millions across Africa.
Ehui emphasized that Sierra Leone could achieve an agricultural revolution through collaboration with IITA by accelerating the deployment of high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient crops tailored to the country’s agricultural conditions. He described the Feed Salone Strategy as not just an agricultural initiative but a symbol of “hope, economic opportunities, and resilience.”
He also underscored the importance of partnerships, research, and investment in driving agricultural transformation, stating that science alone is insufficient. By leveraging public-private partnerships, Sierra Leone could achieve large-scale agricultural transformation. Ehui assured that IITA is committed to working with Sierra Leone to scale up technology, build human capital, support agribusiness, and transform the nation’s agricultural sector.
President Julius Bio praised IITA for its consistent efforts in driving agricultural transformation across Africa and emphasized that overcoming food insecurity challenges requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors and strong political will. He affirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to leveraging research, innovation, and technology to build a world-class food system and create opportunities for farmers.
Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, also highlighted the potential for enhanced collaboration between Nigeria and Sierra Leone. He stated that through partnership, shared experiences, and innovation, both countries could accelerate agricultural development, improve food security, and promote regional growth.
