Dr. Simeon K. Ehui, Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Regional Director for CGIAR Africa, led a high-level delegation to meet with His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown.
The visit aimed to strengthen ties and explore new avenues of collaboration under Sierra Leone’s FEED SALONE agenda.
Dr. Ehui expressed the delegation’s appreciation for President Bio’s leadership, noting, “Today marks a significant moment in our shared journey towards realizing the ambitious and transformative vision of the FEED SALONE agenda.”
He emphasized the solid partnership between the Sierra Leonean government and IITA, stating that both parties are “collectively committed to a brighter future for the people of Sierra Leone.”
Commending President Bio’s efforts in agriculture, Dr. Ehui remarked, “The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture stands with you, Mr. President, as a steadfast ally in this endeavor. Our reach extends across Africa and beyond, working hand in hand with partners like Sierra Leone to uplift communities and drive meaningful changes.”
He further assured that IITA is “here today to explore new avenues of collaboration with your esteemed office.”
Dr. Ehui highlighted the potential impact of their partnership, saying, “With the right funding, strong collaboration, and clear, demand-driven goals, the farmers of Sierra Leone will be equipped to harness the power of climate-smart agriculture and value-added technologies. This will translate into greater food security, improved health outcomes, and increased incomes for countless families nationwide.”
He also noted the long-term benefits of this collaboration, which include access to stress-tolerant crop varieties, sustainable seed systems, safe food production technologies, and post-harvest innovations that will enhance nutrition and food security in Sierra Leone.
In response, President Julius Maada Bio expressed his gratitude to the IITA team for accepting his invitation.
He reiterated the central role of agriculture in his flagship program, stating, “Sierra Leone has the potential to feed its citizens.” However, he acknowledged the challenges, noting that the country lacks “essential elements such as seeds, methods to increase yield, and technical support,” which prompted his call to IITA for assistance.
President Bio also shared his vision for treating agriculture as a business, which he believes could become self-sustaining and reduce the need for government support. Reflecting on the past, he said, “Sierra Leone used to export rice, cacao, and coffee, among other cash crops,” but despite the ample arable land and sufficient rainfall, “the country is still importing rice.”
He urged the IITA team to help make agriculture more productive, thereby supporting employment and stimulating economic growth.
“You are a good partner, and as a government, we are looking for a strong seed system to boost our sector,” President Bio affirmed. “Nigeria has done well in this area, and partnering with you is both laudable and timely. I am excited about this partnership because I don’t want to fail. I know you will bring lots of experience to the partnership. We want history to know that the IITA was part of our Feed Salone Initiative drive.”
