AYV News, April 28, 2026
The Sierra Leone Rice Systems Capacity Strengthening Project, funded by the Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF) through the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), has successfully concluded a two-week intensive training on climate-smart and best agronomic practices for 12 rice technicians in Kenema District. The training, facilitated by the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute, brought together participants from Kambia, Port Loko, Tonkolili, and Kenema districts.
This initiative stems from a bilateral engagement following President Bio’s visit to Vietnam under South-South Cooperation, through which Sierra Leone benefited from technical support in rice production. As a result, the 12 rice technicians are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to educate smallholder farmers on climate-smart technologies aimed at increasing productivity and improving household incomes. The training focused on enhancing productivity while building resilience to climate change.
Key modules included land development techniques such as bunding, leveling, and water control for efficient water management. Participants were also trained in the use of improved, climate-resilient rice varieties, nursery establishment, transplanting methods, soil fertility management, integrated pest and disease control and post-harvest loss.
Kepifri Lakoh, FSRP Project Manager, emphasised that the training aims to strengthen the delivery and adoption of extension messages, which remains a major constraint to rice productivity in Inland Valley Swamps. He urged technicians to apply their knowledge widely and assured them of continued support under the Feed Salone initiative.
Delivering the keynote address, Alpha Yayah Mansaray, Director of Agricultural Extension Services, noted that this is the first batch of technicians under the program, addressing the gap left by an aging workforce. He encouraged participants to actively promote modern practices to boost yields and farmer incomes.
Nanday Bangura, a technician from Tonkolili District, described the training as transformative and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to support farmers and improve livelihoods.
