He further added, "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."
Dr. Ehui also assured that the benefits of their long-term partnership would extend far and wide, with Sierra Leone gaining access to stress-tolerant crop varieties, sustainable seed systems, safe food production technologies, post-harvest innovations, and value-added processes that will enhance nutrition and food security.
President Julius Maada Bio, in turn, expressed profound gratitude to the IITA team for accepting his invitation. He reiterated that agriculture was the cornerstone of his flagship programme, stating that Sierra Leone had the potential to feed its citizens. However, he pointed out that the country lacked essential elements such as seeds, methods to increase yield, and technical support, which was why he had extended the invitation to IITA.
The President shared his belief that treating agriculture as a business could become self-sustaining, eventually reducing the need for government support. He recalled how Sierra Leone used to export rice, cacao, and coffee, among other cash crops, but noted that despite having ample arable land and sufficient rainfall, the country was still importing rice. He urged the IITA team to help make agriculture more productive, thereby supporting employment and stimulating economic growth.