Home Andrus - Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI)

After a period of coordination of agricultural research under National Agricultural Research Coordinating Council (NARCC), the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) established the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) through the SLARI Act of Parliament of 2007. SLARI is now the agricultural research and agricultural technology generating body for the benefit of the farming, fishing and forestry sectors and to provide for other related matters. When fully operational, SLARI will be expected to have the following seven research centres:

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SLARI’s Mandate and Core Functions

SLARI has a major role to play in addressing the many challenges facing the agriculture, fishery and forestry sub sectors in the country. As the national agricultural research institution, it is expected to conduct research to obtain knowledge, information and technologies needed for sustainable development of the country’s agricultural sector. The core functions of SLARI are defined in the SLARI Act of 2007. These provide SLARI and its research centres with a clear framework for delivering on its mandate. The core functions include:

Provide information that will assist the Government and other stakeholders in the development of agricultural policies for poverty alleviation, food security and improved livelihoods of the citizens of Sierra Leone.
Formulate agricultural research policies and programmes taking into account the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the agricultural sector, in line with government policy, and views of stakeholders, especially those which relate to sustainable food security, and conservation of renewable resources of Sierra Leone.
Conduct food and cash crops production, livestock production and health, fish production, land and water management, forestry production and conservation, food and nutrition, technology and socioeconomics of post-harvest activities, emerging technologies in agricultural science biosafety and environmental conservation.
Establishment of strong working relationship with extension agents in the public and private sectors in the transfer of technology.
Maintain a register of research scientists, research projects and research results.
Facilitate and provide the relevant training and manpower development to serve
the agricultural needs of the country.
Produce annual reports highlighting management, scientific training and financial aspects of the Institute.
Establish strong links with national, regional and international agricultural research institutions or agencies involved in science and technology development and transfer.
Representing the country in regional and international fora.
Enhance public awareness on importance of scientific research to agricultural and economic development.
Disseminate knowledge on improved technologies to stakeholders.
Monitor and evaluate adoption and impact of agricultural research on agricultural productivity.
Process and forward to government annual estimates for funding.
Mobilize human, financial and capital resources from donors, private sector and
from within the Institute for the benefit of SLARI.

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