FSRP-Supported PhD Researcher Returns to Sierra Leone to Study Climate Change and Rice Production
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Slari Web Admin
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Kambia District, Tuesday, 29th September 2026 — The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) has welcomed back Miss Rebecca Bockarie, a research scientist attached to the Kenema Forestry and Tree Crop Research Centre (KFTCRC) and a scholarship beneficiary of the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP).
Miss Rebecca is currently pursuing a PhD in Agricultural Economics and Environmental Policy at the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, Nigeria. As part of her doctoral programme, she has chosen her home country, Sierra Leone as the focus of her research, titled “Perceived Effects of Climate Change Vulnerability on Production Efficiency among Rice Value Chain Actors in Sierra Leone.” The study seeks to generate evidence that can contribute to policy, research and practical solutions within the rice sector. She will be looking at how climate change vulnerability is affecting farmers profitability and production efficiency of the rice value chain actors in Sierra Leone.
Speaking during the opening of a two-day enumerator training at the Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre (RARC), Rebecca expressed appreciation for the FSRP scholarship and emphasised her passion to complete her programme and contribute to knowledge that can help address climate-related challenges in Sierra Leone. “My passion is to successfully complete this programme and contribute to knowledge that can help Sierra Leone address some of the challenges posed by climate change. I believe research should not only remain in academic institutions; it should generate evidence that can contribute to solving the real challenges faced by our farmers and other actors in the agricultural value chain.”
Her research combines qualitative and quantitative methods, including focus group discussions and interviews with rice producers, processors, input suppliers and marketers. Quantitative data will be collected from more than 700 rice value chain actors across six districts: Kambia, Bonthe, Kenema, Pujehun, Tonkolili and Bombali, covering 20 chiefdoms.
Welcoming participants, Dr Nabieu Kamara, Rice Breeder at RARC/SLARI, highlighted the centre’s history dating back to 1934 and the challenges of drought, erratic rainfall and climate change. Dr Kemoh Bangura, Agricultural Engineer and Training Coordinator, urged enumerators to ensure accuracy and professionalism, noting that the quality of the research depends on the quality of data collected.
Her findings are expected to contribute to understanding the links between climate change vulnerability, production efficiency and profitability, while supporting efforts to build a more climate-resilient rice sector.
