The Government of Sierra Leone has launched a new technical assistance programme to support digital soil mapping and site-specific fertiliser recommendations, marking a shift toward precision soil management in the country’s agricultural sector.
Formally launched during a three-day inception workshop held in Freetown, the initiative is funded through the World Bank-supported Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) and will be implemented by the Regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel.
The programme supports the transition from generalised fertiliser application to data-driven, site-specific nutrient management through a national Digital Soil Information System. The work aligns with the government’s “Feed Salone” agenda, which prioritises increased domestic food production and reduced reliance on imports.
Government Focus on Precision Agriculture
Opening the workshop, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, said the programme addresses long-standing soil productivity challenges.
“Sierra Leone depends heavily on agriculture for food security and economic growth, but our soils have not delivered the results we need,” Kpaka said. “Strengthening the Soil Information System will provide the data required to make better fertiliser and soil management decisions.”
He added that the tools developed under the project will support farmers, researchers, and investors with accurate soil profiles and site-specific fertiliser recommendations, saying:
“When completed, this work will provide modern digital tools that support smarter, more sustainable farming and help increase productivity.”
Building National Technical Capacity
In addition to field activities, the programme includes a strong focus on national capacity building. Dr. Kepifri Lakoh, Programme Manager for the FSRP in Sierra Leone said the project prioritises long-term technical sustainability.
“We are building national capacity, not just installing equipment,” Lakoh said. “Training for PhD students, support for adaptive research, and certification of laboratory technicians are designed to ensure these systems are managed locally over the long term.”
From Planning to Implementation
The project is being implemented by a consortium that includes International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Fertiliser Development Center (IFDC), African Plant Nutrition Institute, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), OCP Africa, and International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), working with national institutions Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) and Njala University.
Lionel Axel Kadja, Director of the Regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel, said the workshop validated the technical roadmap for implementation:
“The roadmap provides a clear path for digital soil mapping and site-specific recommendations for rice, maize, and cassava.”
Field teams will collect and analyse soil samples from farms across Sierra Leone to update national soil maps and generate farm-level data for rice, maize, and cassava. The new information will feed into the national Soil Information System, enabling more precise fertiliser recommendations, improving fertiliser efficiency, and supporting the government’s “Feed Salone” drive to boost domestic food production, while strengthening long-term technical capacity at SLARI and Njala University.
“Updating national soil maps and conducting nutrient omission trials will provide the data needed to support extension services and improve fertiliser recommendations,” said Dr. Abdul R. Conteh, Acting Director-General of SLARI.