World Bank Mission Expresses Satisfaction with IITA/SLARI FSRP Project Implementation

On Saturday 17 January 2026, at Njala Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) conference’s hall, the World Bank team, headed by Dr Tunji Oredipe, has expressed strong satisfaction with the progress and outcomes of the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) project implemented by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI). This followed a series of comprehensive presentations on the three (3) components of the FSRP/IITA project and updates from six SLARI scientists who are beneficiaries of the research grants under the FSRP funding.

The commendation was made during the World Bank’s two-day mission to all IITA/SLARI project sites, which assessed the results of two years of project implementation. The project supports Pillar 2 of the Government of Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone Strategy, aimed at transforming the country’s agricultural sector and ensuring food security.

Speaking during the engagement at the Njala Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Conference Hall, where all technical presentations were delivered, Dr. Oredipe encouraged the IITA/SLARI team to sustain the current level of commitment and innovation. He emphasized the importance of fully utilizing the facilities provided under the project to add value and accelerate impact. “This project is about changing agricultural activities in Sierra Leone. I want to see the future of agriculture being driven from the facilities provided by the project in the agricultural space,” he stated.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Keprifi Lakoh, Programme Manager for FSRP, noted that it was fulfilling to witness tangible success stories emerging from the IITA/SLARI collaboration. He expressed confidence that with IITA’s backstopping support to the implementation of the Feed Salone Strategy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) would record significant gains toward making Sierra Leone food sufficient. Dr. Lakoh encouraged the project team to continue pushing forward; assuring them of the donor support to ensure the project’s success.

The IITA Country Representative and Council Chairman of SLARI, Dr. Alfred O. Dixon, described the current progress as a clear indication that SLARI is rising and reclaiming its lost glory through strategic partnerships and impactful research interventions.

Similarly, Prof. Lateef Sanni, the FSRP/IITA Co-Project Lead, commended the dedication and hard work of the implementation team, noting that their collective efforts have generated the level of impact expected by the donor. He urged the team to sustain the spirit of teamwork, stressing that collaboration remains key to achieving both institutional and individual goals.

The Ag. Director General of SLARI, Dr. Abdul R. Conteh, applauded the team for a job well done, describing the project as an intentional and strategic collaboration between IITA and SLARI. According to him, the FSRP/IITA project represents “Phase Two of the WAAPP experience,” noting that lessons learned from previous interventions have shaped a more inclusive and results-driven approach. Dr. Conteh further expressed satisfaction with IITA’s implementation model, which actively involves SLARI scientists in all stages of the project, ensuring ownership, capacity development, and sustainability.

From the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Samuel Yankuba also expressed satisfaction with the overall implementation of the FSRP/IITA/SLARI projects, highlighting the transparency, coordination, and visible impact achieved within a relatively short period.

The mission concluded with a guided tour of all FSRP facilities and project sites, where the World Bank and FSRP teams observed first-hand the practical activities, innovations, and infrastructure supporting agricultural transformation in Sierra Leone.