Picture
Strengthening the Post-harvest Engineering, Food and Nutrition Thematic Area of SLARI for Effective Research Activities.
In Sierra Leone, post-harvest loss is estimated to be between 10-20%. These losses are attributed to a combination of factors during post production operations such as the time of harvesting, improper handling, lack of improve processing facilities, poor storage facility among others. Also about 63% of Sierra Leoneans are food insecure which implies that half of the country's population are not getting the required nutrients for healthy wellbeing.
Based on this background, a team of Scientists from Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institution (SLARI) conducted an extensive two days’ workshop; at its Magbosi Land, Water and Environmental Research Centre (MLWERC) in Mile 91 on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th of September, to develop a strategic document for post-harvest, food and nutrition that will reduce  wastage, post-harvest losses, value addition to crops thereby enhancing Food and Nutrition Security.  COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on post-harvest food and nutrition was also part of the two days agenda. 
 
According to Dr. Mathew L.S Gboku, the Acting Director General of Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institution, said that for quite some time, the post-harvest, food and nutrition component of SLARI has been defunct; but feels satisfied with the presence of the well-trained scientists working to revive this component. He said the workshop would help the institution to bring up strategies to address the challenges encountered by this component. In his statement, he mentioned that his role as the Acting Director General of SLARI is to provide them with the resources needed to do their work. He ended up by saying that the purpose of this two days’ meeting is to have a strategic plan for post-harvest and nutrition Security.
Nutrition expert and programme lead, Dr. Martha S.E Williams, urged her fellow scientists to start thinking of ways to strengthen the postharvest, food and nutrition thematic area of SLARI even in the midst of limited resources. The drive to boost this component started from the time she started working for SLARI. She reminded her colleague Scientists of the challenges they are faced with as a since 2012.  She stated that more than half of the population of Sierra Leone do not have access to nutritious meal and they as a researchers in this multifaceted discipline should work earnestly to reduce this menace through innovative, effective and efficient research delivery.
 
A research Scientist Dr. Abdulai Bangura, spoke on post-harvest losses. In his statement, he said that post-harvest loss in Sierra Leone is attributed to a combination of factors during post-production operations. According to him, the conference is timely as it brings together experts in post-harvest, food and nutrition to discuss the way forward to tackle the huge losses farmers encounter and also identify the areas of intervention, which include fabrication of simple food processing equipment that is easily accessible and affordable by the local farmers in Sierra Leone.
At the end of the workshop, the team came up with possible recommendations to address problems associated with post-harvest, food and nutrition. Among them were:
  • Training of farmers in post-harvest processes and identification of areas of major losses.
  • Fabrication of simple paddy threshers.
  • Fabrication of simple solar dryers.
  • Sensitization of people on the consumption pattern of milk and meat production.
  • Identification of materials to be use for fabrication of new simple technologies.
  • Drafted three (3) concept notes on Post-harvest, nutrition and COVID-19 response which will be submitted to SLARI management by 10 October 2020 for potential funding.
Collaborate with relevant stakeholders and carry out a national food consumption and nutrition survey in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Documents for Download