Established in 2023, the SLARI Agricultural Technology and Innovation Park at Komrabia Village, Maforki chiedom, Port Loko district, has become a flagship demonstration hub for agricultural transformation in Sierra Leone. Designed to promote improved technologies and build the capacity of young farmers, the park stands as a living laboratory for innovation, learning, and technology adoption. Over the past two years, the park has achieved remarkable success in introducing new crop varieties, scaling farming innovations, and training a new generation of agricultural leaders.
One of the major milestones of the project has been the training of nine (9) youth farmers, selected from different regions, who have benefited from both local and international training opportunities. Supported by the World Bank’s Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) and coordinated by the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), these youth received hands-on mentorship and exposure to modern techniques in crop production, agribusiness management, and sustainable land use. Today, they are not only master farmers but also agripreneurs, running their own farms, mentoring peers, and contributing to local food production.
Through the park, SLARI provided these youths with improved planting materials, technical backstopping, and continuous field support, ensuring their transition from trainees to independent producers. The Park’s intervention goes beyond learning; it empowers. It mobilizes young people into job creators, not job seekers.
The Innovation Park has also grown into a regional resource center. Neighboring countries now benefit from SLARI’s improved planting materials and training support. The park has hosted international delegations and cross-border farmer groups, positioning Sierra Leone as a rising player in agricultural technology exchange.
Over the years, the Park has strengthened partnerships with more than nine agrodealers, who have now established their own mini-parks in various districts. These agrodealers serve as extension points for: Technology adoption, Seed dissemination, Farmer education. This partnership model is building a large-scale, private-sector-led agricultural innovation network, ensuring sustainability beyond donor funding. Before, we used to import seeds from other countries, but with the establishment of this park, we can proudly say that it has drastically reduced the Importation level, which has helped in the successful implementation of the Feed Salone Initiative.
On 14th November 2025, SLARI and CORAF hosted a vibrant and practical Field Day at the Technology and Innovation Park. Farmers, youth groups, women’s associations, seed producers, donor partners, and agriculture stakeholders gathered for a day of learning and interaction.
The event provided a platform to showcase the improved technologies, best practices, and success stories emerging from the Park’s interventions. Farmers moved from one demonstration plot to another, guided by SLARI researchers who broke down scientific knowledge into practical, usable techniques.
At the Cassava Demonstration Plot, farmers discovered that allowing cassava to mature for at least 12 months significantly increases yield. SLARI technical officers also demonstrated the correct stem spacing, a simple adjustment capable of doubling production.
At the Soya Bean Plot, one of the day’s highlights, many participants encountered soybeans for the first time. They learned modern planting and post-harvest practices, including storing seeds in airtight containers to preserve viability, opening new opportunities for crop diversification and nutrition.
At the Maize Plot, farmers gained hands-on experience in seed spacing and planting depth techniques for higher germination and yield.
Another major highlight was SLARI’s demonstration of local organic fertilizer production— an affordable and sustainable alternative for smallholder farmers struggling with high input costs.
The Field Day also featured testimonial sessions that underscored the Park’s real-world impact. Ms. Mariatu Mansaray, the Business Development Consultant, urged farmers to visit the Park often, describing it as “a learning and resource center built for them.”
A young farmer from the Youth Action for Progressive Agriculture (YAPA) shared his transformational journey. Before engaging with the Park, his harvests were consistently poor. Today, using SLARI’s recommended practices, his farm is producing more, and his confidence as a farmer has been restored.
From the women’s perspective, Ya Alimamy Haja Sesay, Chairlady of NAFFSL, praised SLARI for continuously equipping farmers with knowledge and planting materials. She noted that farmers now feel more empowered to make informed decisions.
SLARI continues to deepen partnerships with private sector seed companies, especially Africa Seed Company and Seed Tech International, ensuring that farmers have access to high-quality planting materials.
One of SLARI’s most strategic advances is its growing capacity to produce seeds locally. The Park is now a source of clean, improved seed varieties for farmers across Sierra Leone — with growing spillover benefits to neighboring countries.
Park Manager Mr. Lansana Sesay highlighted that the Technology Park was created for the benefit of farmers, a place where they can freely learn, ask questions, and access improved planting materials. Its location along the highway has made it a regular stop for visitors seeking practical knowledge and new crop varieties.
The 2025 Field Day not only showcased SLARI’s research outputs but also marked a milestone in bridging innovation with the real needs of farmers. Through practical training and accessible technologies, farmers are gaining stronger yields, better incomes, and new business opportunities.
The success of the Youth Agripreneurs, the strengthened partnerships, and the rising demand for improved seeds are clear indicators that the SLARI Technology and Innovation Park is making a lasting impact.
As SLARI continues to expand its community outreach, strengthen its research programs, and deepen public-private collaboration, it is sowing the seeds for a more resilient, productive, and food-secure Sierra Leone.