By Kadiatu A. Turay

In a country where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy, the news that Sierra Leone will soon establish its first-ever fertilizer testing laboratory has been received with optimism and renewed hope. For decades, farmers across the nation have struggled with poor soil fertility, counterfeit fertilizers, and inconsistent yields. Now, experts say this landmark initiative could mark the beginning of a new era in agricultural productivity and food security.

The planned laboratory, which will be established under the supervision of the ministry of agriculture and food security in collaboration with development partners, is expected to serve as a quality assurance hub for fertilizers entering Sierra Leone’s market. It will enable the country to test, regulate, and certify fertilizers to ensure farmers receive genuine and effective products.

This is a game-changer for our farmers, said Dr. Mohamed Jalloh, Director of Crop Services at the Ministry of Agriculture. “For far too long, we have relied on imported fertilizers without knowing whether they truly meet our soil needs. This facility will empower us to test and validate every fertilizer that enters the country.

Agriculture employs over 60% of Sierra Leone’s population, yet productivity has remained low due to poor farming inputs and practices, many farmers have complained about purchasing fertilizers that do not yield expected results some even suspect counterfeit or expired products are being sold on the market.

I remember spending nearly half of my season’s savings on fertilizer last year, said Mariatu Koroma, a rice farmer from Kambia district, But when I used it, my harvest was worse than before. I felt cheated. If there was a place to test these fertilizers, I would have known the truth.

Mariatu’s story reflects the frustration of many smallholder farmers who struggle to improve yields in the face of unreliable inputs, without proper testing facilities, experts warn that the nation risks undermining its agricultural potential and food self-sufficiency.

We are determined to protect our farmers from exploitation, said Fatmata Dumbuya, a representative from the Sierra Leone standards Bureau (SLSB). Every fertilizer will go through strict testing and certification, this will restore confidence in the agricultural value chain.”

The benefits of this laboratory are far-reaching. By ensuring the availability of high-quality fertilizers tailored to Sierra Leone’s soil types, the initiative is expected to increase productivity across staple crops such as rice, cassava, maize, and groundnuts. This could reduce the nation’s dependence on food imports and strengthen food security.

Economist Dr. Ibrahim Mansaray believes that the facility will have a ripple effect on the national economy.

Agriculture is our most important sector. Improving yields means improving livelihoods. With a reliable fertilizer testing lab, we can boost exports, reduce poverty, and achieve greater self-reliance, according to agricultural analyst Patrick Conteh, the establishment of the laboratory is not just about improving crop yields it’s about accountability.

For the first time, we’ll have data-driven decisions guiding fertilizer use, he explained, the government will be able to identify which fertilizers work best for specific regions and crops, and that will save millions in wasted resources.

The laboratory will also help combat the influx of substandard fertilizers that often find their way into Sierra Leone’s markets, with modern testing equipment, authorities will be able to analyze chemical compositions, nutrient levels, and expiry periods ensuring only certified products are sold.

Additionally, the facility will contribute to research and innovation, agricultural universities and research institutions will gain access to reliable data for soil analysis, fertilizer formulation, and crop performance studies. Students and researchers will benefit from practical learning opportunities, further building the country’s scientific capacity.

Across rural communities, anticipation is growing. Farmers see this as a long-overdue intervention that could finally align science with their daily struggles on the field.

I think this will change everything, said Alhaji Kargbo, a vegetable grower, when we know exactly what our soil needs, we can grow better crops, feed our families, and even sell more at the market.”

The ministry of agriculture has promised to make the laboratory fully operational by next year and accessible to all districts through regional testing centers, plans are also underway to train local technicians and farmers on fertilizer quality management.

The establishment of Sierra Leone’s first fertilizer testing laboratory is more than a technical milestone it’s a symbol of progress and empowerment, it represents a move from dependency to self-sufficiency, from guesswork to science-based agriculture.

As Dr. Jalloh summarized, this laboratory is not just about testing fertilizers; it’s about testing our readiness as a nation to take control of our agricultural destiny, for Sierra Leone’s farmers, the message is clear: the future of agriculture is finally taking root  this time, with the right nutrients in the soil and hope in their hearts.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 19th November 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)