Freetown:Agriculture and Food Security Minister Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka highlighted the significance of President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship Feed Salone initiative during the opening of the sixth edition of the Market for Agricultural Innovations and Technologies (MITA 2026) at Bintumani Hotel. He emphasized that the initiative is crucial for boosting local production, enhancing food security, and creating economic opportunities in Sierra Leone.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Dr. Kpaka addressed the vulnerabilities in food supply chains exposed by recent global crises and stressed the urgent need for stronger domestic food production. He encouraged Sierra Leoneans to “grow what they eat and export what they grow,” underscoring the importance of private-sector involvement, technology, investment, and partnerships in fully realizing the country’s agricultural potential.
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh officially inaugurated the event, advocating for proven agricultural technologies to reach farmers and result in productivity and food security improvements. He highlighted the necessity of scaling successful innovations and enhancing technology-sharing networks and partnerships between governments, the private sector, and development partners in the region.
MITA 2026 attracted over 500 participants from eight countries involved in the Food System Resilience Programme, featuring more than 100 technologies and innovations in livestock and aquaculture. The conference was organized by CORAF and hosted by the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute, with financing from the World Bank through the FSRP.
World Bank Task Team Leader Adetunji Oredipe stressed the importance of farmers having access to appropriate seeds and agricultural technologies to drive transformation, especially in the context of climate change. He noted that stronger partnerships and regional networks could expedite the adoption of these technologies.
Dr. Kalifa Traore from the ORAF Board of Directors remarked that MITA 2026 serves as a vital platform for showcasing agricultural technologies and accelerating their transfer and adoption across participating countries.