Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture, Henry Musa Kpaka, has announced a significant educational initiative aimed at advancing the country’s agricultural sector.

In a tweet on X, Kpaka revealed that, with support from President Julius Maada Bio, 14 staff members from the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI_2007) have been awarded fully funded PhD scholarships.

The recipients will pursue their studies in Nigeria and at Njala University, focusing on research critical to the Feed Salone initiative, a government program designed to enhance local food production.

The scholarships are part of a broader effort to strengthen food systems and promote sustainable agricultural practices in Sierra Leone.

Kpaka emphasized that the scholarship recipients will return to Sierra Leone upon completion of their studies to apply their knowledge and contribute to the transformation of the country’s food systems.