By Abdul Rahman Bah
The Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Seed Certification Agency (SLeSCA), Dr. Robert Chakanda, has highlighted significant progress made by the agency in strengthening Sierra Leone’s seed certification system and improving access to quality planting materials for farmers across the country.
Speaking on Monday, 29 June 2026, during his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament at the Administrative Building, Parliament Tower Hill, Freetown, as part of deliberations on the 2024 Auditor General’s Report, Dr. Chakanda outlined the agency’s achievements, ongoing reforms, and long-term vision for transforming the agricultural sector.
He explained that since its establishment, SLeSCA has focused on building a strong and reliable seed value chain by bringing together all stakeholders involved in seed development, multiplication, certification, and distribution. According to him, the agency has worked diligently to ensure that every stage of seed production meets the highest quality standards, thereby giving farmers confidence in the seeds they cultivate.
Dr. Chakanda noted that one of the agency’s major accomplishments has been the establishment of clear operational standards for all players within the seed sector. These standards, he said, have strengthened accountability and improved the production of certified seeds capable of increasing agricultural productivity and supporting national food security.
He further revealed that over the past three years, SLeSCA has expanded its activities beyond regulation by investing heavily in farmer education and public awareness. Technical officers have now been deployed in every district across Sierra Leone to provide training, technical support, and education on the importance of certified seeds and modern agricultural practices.
According to Dr. Chakanda, the agency regularly organizes workshops, community sensitization programmes, and capacity-building initiatives to ensure farmers understand the benefits of using certified seeds, which contribute to higher yields, improved crop quality, and increased resilience against pests and diseases.
Speaking on the agency’s collaboration with the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), Dr. Chakanda described the partnership as essential to agricultural innovation. He explained that while SLARI develops improved crop varieties through scientific research and plant breeding, SLeSCA provides independent oversight throughout the development process to guarantee that every approved variety meets national and international certification standards before release.
He emphasized that SLeSCA certifies a wide range of crops, including rice, cassava, vegetables, legumes, and tree crops, provided they satisfy the required quality and certification protocols. This rigorous process, he said, protects farmers from poor-quality planting materials while enhancing consumer confidence in the country’s agricultural system.
Providing updates on cassava production, the agency disclosed that eight improved cassava varieties were successfully released last year and are currently undergoing multiplication as foundation seed. Through collaboration with SLARI, foundation seed producers have already been trained, while preparations are underway to train certified seed producers in major cassava-producing districts to ensure wider availability of improved planting materials.
The agency also highlighted progress in the rice sector, explaining that Sierra Leone continues to follow internationally accepted seed certification procedures beginning with breeder seed, followed by foundation seed and finally certified seed for commercial cultivation. These quality assurance measures are intended to preserve genetic purity and deliver improved seed varieties to farmers nationwide.
Dr. Chakanda reaffirmed SLeSCA’s commitment to supporting the Government’s agricultural transformation agenda by ensuring that farmers across Sierra Leone have access to high-quality certified seeds capable of boosting productivity, improving livelihoods, and strengthening national food security.
He concluded by assuring Members of Parliament that the agency remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and continuous improvement as it works to build a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.