SLARiS and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have commenced a three days’ workshop on the establishment of the National Agro dealer Network in Sierra Leone. The aim of the workshop was to present and discusses the draft national strategy food the agro dealer network, to gather input and feedback from key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector representatives, financial institution, NGOs and agro dealers.

Agriculture being a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s economy, contributes significantly to the GDP by employing a substantial portion of the population. However, to ensure sustained agricultural productivity and food security, Lead Consultant, Dr. Sam sualie said the need to establish a robust network of agrodealears who can supply quality agricultural inputs to farmers is off utmost importance, thus, the primary objective of the workshop is to validate and finalize the strategy for establishing a national agrodeealer network in Sierra Leone.

From 2019, SLARIES Project, is expected to end in 2025, while the president’s flagship in the big five game changer is feed sierra Leone, and with several questions as to what impact SLARiS has created thus far in making sure that we don’t only have certified but quality seeds, Project Manager, Tamba Jumu said, to succeed in the feed Sierra Leone agenda, this event is of essence thus, much progress have been incorporated, “ We want to create an association which will run independently and ensuring that the appropriate and affordable inputs reach farmers accordingly. SLARiS is also supporting private seed entities to multiply foundation seeds to certified rice seeds, we want to reduce the government cost for importation of rice seed come 2025.
Agro dealers, dealing with fertilizers, seeds and vegetables present through lite as to how this has aided their sector adding that the outcome will be of most essential in making sure their activities are aliening with governments agenda.

The propose national agrodealear network will play a pivotal role in enhancing input supply chains, providing access to vital products, and bolstering the overall agricultural sector.
After the three days engagement, it will see the validation of strategy, which will future a comprehensive and validated strategy for establishing the national agro dealer network while enhancing stakeholder’s collaboration and engagement.