Feed Salone Gains Momentum as MAFS-LLDP Launches Foundation Seed Multiplication Initiative at Teko Livestock Research Centre

Achieving the goals of the Government of Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone Initiative goes beyond increasing crop production. It also requires building a stronger and more productive livestock sector by ensuring farmers have access to quality feed resources throughout the year. In support of this national vision, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) through the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP), in partnership with the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), has commenced foundation seed site selection and land preparation activities at the Teko Livestock Research Centre (TLRC).

The activity marks a significant step in advancing Feed Salone’s objective of transforming agriculture and strengthening food security through sustainable and climate-smart agricultural interventions. By focusing on forage seed multiplication and pasture development, the initiative aims to address one of the most critical challenges facing livestock farmers: the availability of nutritious and reliable animal feed.

Representatives from LLDP’s Bo Office participated in the exercise alongside the project’s Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP) Specialist, Madam Cecelia Becker, who led environmental and social safeguard assessments to ensure that all planned activities meet sustainability standards and are implemented responsibly.

At the heart of the initiative is the establishment of foundation seed multiplication plots that will produce high-quality forage seeds and seedlings for future distribution to farmers across the country. These planting materials will support better livestock nutrition, improve animal productivity, and contribute to stronger and more resilient livestock value chains.

Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Dauda Sheku Yillah, Officer-in-Charge of the Teko Livestock Research Centre, emphasized the importance of the intervention in supporting livestock farmers and enhancing food security. He noted that improving access to quality forage is essential for increasing livestock productivity, reducing feed shortages, and creating new opportunities for rural households that depend on livestock for their livelihoods.

Following a comprehensive site assessment led by Madam Cecelia Becker, the proposed location was approved for implementation, paving the way for land preparation and the next phase of the programme.

The initiative will focus on multiplying several improved forage species, including: Brachiaria ruziziensis; Mucuna pruriens; Andropogon gayanus; Lablab purpureus; Stylosanthes guianensis; Brachiaria mutica; and Chloris gayana.

These forage species were carefully selected for their ability to improve feed availability, restore degraded grazing lands, increase climate resilience, and support sustainable livestock production systems. Their multiplication represents an important investment in the long-term growth of Sierra Leone’s livestock sector and the broader success of the Feed Salone agenda.

Beyond seed production, the project will also strengthen farmers’ knowledge and skills in fodder production, harvesting, storage, and conservation, helping livestock producers maximize feed resources throughout the year. This capacity-building component will be critical in ensuring that the benefits of the initiative reach farming communities nationwide.

The collaboration between LLDP and SLARI demonstrates the power of research, innovation, and partnership in driving agricultural transformation. By combining scientific expertise with practical field implementation, the partnership will accelerate the development and dissemination of livestock technologies, improve feed and fodder systems, and promote evidence-based, climate-smart livestock practices.

As the initiative moves into the foundation seed multiplication phase, it represents more than just a research activity. It is a strategic investment in the future of Sierra Leone’s agriculture sector and a direct contribution to the Feed Salone vision of a food-secure, self-sufficient, and prosperous nation.

Through the combined efforts of MAFS, LLDP, SLARI, and the Teko Livestock Research Centre, Sierra Leone is laying the foundation for healthier livestock, stronger rural livelihoods, and a more resilient agricultural economy where farmers have the resources, they need to feed the nation.

#FeedSalone #LLDP #SLARI #FeedSierraLeone #LivestockDevelopment #ClimateSmartAgriculture #ForageProduction #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgriculture #RuralLivelihoods