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In a historic move to accelerate Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation under the Feed Salone Initiative, His Excellency, President Rtd. Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio visited the Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre, where he officially released 30 new and improved varieties of rice, cassava, and maize, developed by the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI).

The vibrant ceremony brought together farmers, researchers, policymakers, development partners, and community leaders, all celebrating the government’s steadfast investment in agricultural research and innovation through SLARI.

Among the newly released varieties are high-yielding rice strains capable of producing 7–8 tons per hectare, a major leap from the national average of 2–3 tons. These varieties, together with improved maize and cassava lines, were developed through years of dedicated research, field trials, and multi-location testing, with strong support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), the World Bank-supported project - Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), and international partners.

“The release of these new varieties marks a turning point in our Feed Salone vision. Through research and innovation, we are giving farmers access to seeds that will increase yields, improve resilience, and ensure food security,” President Bio stated.

He emphasized that agricultural transformation must be rooted in science and evidence-based practices, reaffirming that “Agriculture is a science.”

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the improved seeds reach farmers nationwide. He underscored that Pillar II of the Feed Salone Programme focuses on strengthening seed and input systems, stressing that the newly released varieties will directly boost productivity, raise farmer incomes, and significantly reduce the country’s dependency on food imports.

SLARI Director General, Dr. Abdul R. Conteh, expressed deep appreciation to President Bio for revitalizing SLARI at a time when the institute was struggling. He noted that renewed government support, complemented by donor-funded projects, has restored SLARI’s research capacity, enabling scientists to develop climate-resilient, pest-tolerant, nutrient-rich, and highly adaptable crop varieties suited to Sierra Leone’s diverse agro-ecological zones.

Following the ceremony, President Bio, joined by Dr. Kpaka and Dr. Conteh, toured the demonstration plots at Rokupr to observe firsthand the impressive performance of the new varieties.

The release of these 30 new crop varieties marks a historic step forward in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of agricultural transformation and food sovereignty, showcasing the pivotal role of research, innovation, and leadership in shaping a resilient and food-secure nation.