Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute

28/05/2026

Driven by science, rooted in Sierra Leone.

At Kenema Forestry and Tree Crop Research Centre, our dedicated team is shaping the future of coffee a rare indigenous species with the potential to redefine climate-smart coffee production.

Through innovation, field research, and sustainable agricultural practices, SLARI is preserving Sierra Leone’s rich coffee heritage while unlocking new opportunities for farmers, markets, and future generations.

From the heart of Kenema to the global stage, Sierra Leone is brewing a bold future in coffee research and excellence.


U.S. Department of Agriculture Greenwich University Royal Botanical Gardens Canada Academic Staff Association Njala University

20/05/2026

No matter how rich or elaborate a meal may be, there is something uniquely comforting and fulfilling about sharing a plate of rice with the people you love. Around the table, the simplest meals often create the strongest bonds, reminding us that food is not only nourishment but also a source of unity, love, and togetherness.

Contact SLARI today for the newly released high-yielding improved rice varieties which are adaptive to our ecologies designed to boost productivity, increase harvests, and strengthen household food security for farming communities across Sierra Leone.

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Africa Rice Center CGIAR

12/05/2026

Fresh from nature, rich in goodness, and full of flavor. Carefully selected for quality and freshness, cashews are a delicious choice for healthy snacking, sharing with loved ones, or adding a special touch to everyday moments.
ComCashew Solidaridad West Africa

11/05/2026

Strengthening Livestock Development Through Strategic Partnership!

The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) recently hosted a delegation from the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) at SLARI Headquarters to discuss a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at transforming Sierra Leone’s livestock sector, a project funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Islamic Development Bank, OPEC Fund, and the Government of Sierra Leone.

The engagement focused on fostering stronger research collaboration and technical service delivery to improve livestock productivity, strengthen value chains, enhance food and nutrition security, and create livelihood opportunities for rural communities especially women and youth.

As part of the engagement, the delegation conducted a field visit to the Teko Livestock Research Centre (TLRC) to assess existing facilities and explore opportunities for strengthening livestock research, disease diagnostics, animal breeding, climate-smart livestock systems, and veterinary services.

This proposed partnership marks another important milestone in supporting Pillar 3 of the Feed Salone Strategy, focused on commercializing livestock production, increasing rural income, and building sustainable food systems in Sierra Leone.

11/05/2026

Today, 11th May, the communications team from the World Bank led by the FSRP Communication specialist, paid a courtesy visit to the SLARI Director General Dr. Abdul R. Conteh for a one-to-one interview session on the implementation and impact of the World Bank project through the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP).

The engagement focused on the achievements, institutional support, and progress made through the project in strengthening agricultural research and innovation in the implementation of the Feed Salone strategy.

FSRP WA FSRP - SL World Bank Group CORAF International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

06/05/2026

SLARI Management today received Dr. Kabore Bila Roger, a consultant from CORAF, on a courtesy call ahead of his field visit to the Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre (RARC). The visit forms part of the evaluation of the FSRP - SL project under Sub-component 2.1, which focuses on strengthening research centres, enhancing R&D networking, modernizing extension services, and promoting technology access and exchange.

Dr Abdul R. Conteh, Director General of SLARI, provided a comprehensive overview of the project’s progress and impact.

-SL

05/05/2026

Groundnut is more than a crop, it’s a pathway to prosperity. It boosts household incomes, enriches nutrition, and strengthens the resilience of communities. By investing in groundnut production, we invest in healthier families, thriving livelihoods, and a more sustainable future.
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) FSRP - SL FSRP WA Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security World Bank Group CORAF

04/05/2026

Success Story: Transforming Value Chains through IITA Technical Backstopping to SLARI (FSRP – World Bank)

Before the commencement of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) technical backstopping to SLARI under the FSRP (World Bank-funded program), Sierra Leone’s soybean and cassava value chains faced significant challenges. Limited access to quality breeder seeds, weak adherence to phytosanitary standards (especially aflatoxin mitigation), low farmer productivity, and inadequate value addition constrained growth.

Farmer training was fragmented, youth engagement in agribusiness was minimal, and standardized recipes or product development for soybean utilization were largely unavailable.

These gaps threatened national food security and the success of the Feed Salone Strategy. Farmers struggled with low yields and poor market access, while the absence of structured seed systems and limited technical capacity hindered scalability. Without urgent intervention, the opportunity to strengthen livelihoods and build resilient agricultural systems risked being lost.

Through strategic technical backstopping, IITA supported SLARI across three key components: improving phytosanitary standards, strengthening value chains, and empowering farmers. Over three years, the project delivered 10 metric tons of soybean and cassava breeder seeds and 5 metric tons of maize seeds, ensuring access to improved planting materials. It introduced 5 high-yielding cassava varieties to boost productivity.

Capacity building was scaled significantly: 1,200 farmers were trained, alongside 200 soybean and 360 cassava community-based seed producers. To strengthen knowledge dissemination, 20,000 farmers were reached through media engagement. Youth inclusion was prioritized through training programs in Brazil and Nigeria, enhancing expertise in value chain development.

In nutrition and value addition, the project facilitated 252 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to validate standardized recipes, culminating in the development of 1 soybean recipe handbook and 5 new soybean products.
After three years, the transformation is evident.

Farmers now have reliable access to improved seeds, leading to increased yields and resilience. The strengthened seed systems and trained 560 community-based producers ensure sustainability. Enhanced awareness and adoption of improved practices among 20,000 farmers have elevated production standards nationwide.

Value addition has expanded market opportunities, with new soybean products and standardized recipes improving nutrition and income generation. Youth participation has injected innovation into the sector, while adherence to phytosanitary standards has improved food safety.

Overall, the IITA–SLARI collaboration under FSRP has shifted the agricultural landscape from low productivity and limited coordination to a more structured, knowledge-driven, and market-oriented system directly contributing to improved livelihoods and advancing the Feed Salone agenda.

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) FSRP - SL FSRP WA Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security World Bank Group CORAF

28/04/2026

Good health starts with the daily choices you make. With every sip of nutritious soymilk made from soybeans, you fuel your body, strengthen your system, and move closer to a healthier, more vibrant you. Embrace the power of simple habits, because lasting wellness begins with what you choose today.

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) FSRP - SL FSRP WA World Bank Group Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

24/04/2026

Welcome to the SLARI Agricultural Technology and Innovation Park, where innovation meets agriculture. Farmers can now explore a wide range of improved seeds and technologies, all in one place, and choose what works best for their farms.

🔗 Click the link below to discover more.

FSRP - SL Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security World Bank Group FSRP WA CORAF

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