By Thaimu T. Kamara
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), Dr. Kemoh Bangura, alongside the Chairman of the Board, has conducted an official visit to the Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre in the northwestern region, the purpose of the high-level visit was to assess ongoing research and development initiatives, particularly those focused on enhancing rice production in Sierra Leone.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr. Adams Shaka Kanu, Director of the Rokupr Research Station, along with his team and key local stakeholders. Central to the visit was an evaluation of recent advancements in rice processing technologies and the recognition of ten local fabricators who were recently certified after undergoing specialized training in rice production technology.
These fabricators played a pivotal role in developing and deploying improved equipment for rice parboiling technology that promises to significantly boost the quality, efficiency, and marketability of locally produced rice. The training and certification initiative was funded through the Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), which Dr. Bangura praised for its contribution to strengthening local capacity and technological innovation.
During a briefing, Dr. Adams acknowledged the government’s increased investment in agricultural research, highlighting recent salary enhancements for SLARI staff as a key morale booster. He thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for its sustained support, which he said has had a direct positive impact on institutional performance.
However, Dr. Adams also stressed the urgent need for further support in the form of human resources, to maintain and expand the impact of our innovations, we need more qualified personnel, he said, the demand for research and technical support across the country is growing, and we must be equipped to meet it.”
Dr. Bangura reaffirmed SLARI’s commitment to using science and innovation to transform agriculture in Sierra Leone, the commended the Rokupr team for their dedication to local capacity-building and the transfer of practical technologies to farming communities,he assured staff that the leadership would continue to advocate for the resources needed to drive the institution’s mission forward.
The visit highlights SLARI’s strategic focus on bridging the gap between research and real-world application particularly in the rice sector, which remains vital for food security and livelihoods across Sierra Leone.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, June 13TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
