Food insecurity: IITA set to transform Sierra Leone, Africa’s agriculture
Transformation
By Suleiman Shehu
Dr Simeon Ehui, Director-General (DG), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), has reiterated the institute’s readiness to transform agriculture and address food insecurity in Sierra Leone and other African countries.
Ehui stated this during the official visit of the President of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Bio, to the institute in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports the theme of the presidential visit is “The Power of Improved Technologies and Public-Private Partnerships to Accelerate the Feed Salone Strategy”.
The DG noted that the institution’s existing technology and innovation in cassava, maize, soybeans, and other crops had improved productivity, increased income, and strengthened security for millions of Africans.
“Sierra Leone stands a chance of agricultural revolution through collaboration with IITA.
“We can accelerate the deployment of high-yielding pest resistance and climate-resilient crops tailored to the country’s agricultural condition,” Ehui said.
According to him, science alone will not transform agriculture, but with partnerships, research and investment, farmers empowered with tools and finance needed to thrive will drive Africa’s required agricultural transformation.
He said that Sierra Leone had an opportunity to harness Public-Private Partnership to drive large-scale agricultural transformation.
“With the right partnership, we can turn ambition into action and action into impact in IITA.
“The future of Sierra Leone food security is not a distant goal; it begins here, and the conversation here must transfer into commitment,” he said.
Ehui said IITA was ready to work with the government of Sierra Leone to scale up technology, build human capital, support agribusiness and transform the country’s agriculture.
The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Bio, commended IITA for consistently driving agricultural transformation in Africa and being a dependable partner.
Bio said food insecurity challenges in Africa required coordinated efforts across multiple sectors and strong political will at the highest level.
“I am here because I think the political will exist in Sierra Leone to support the country’s food system transformation.
“I firmly believe that research, innovation, and technology are the forces we must harness in order to drive Africa forward, transform the future of agriculture in Africa, and create opportunities for African farmers,” he said.
He said his trip to Nigeria was part of his dedication to innovative ideas to create a world-class food system in Sierra Leone and foster progress for farmers and agribusiness.
Earlier, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said Nigeria’s agricultural transformation efforts had provided a strong foundation for collaboration with Sierra Leone.
Ogunbiyi said both countries could accelerate agricultural development, enhance food security and promote regional growth through partnership, shared experience and innovation. (NAN)
Edited by Moses Solanke
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