By Kadiatu Sankoh
At the weekly press briefing held at the Miatta Conference Hall, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the European Union (EU) outlined urgent measures to address Sierra Leone’s rising soil acidity, a major threat to crop productivity and national food security.
WFP Country Director, Yvonne Forsen, and EU Team Lead for Infrastructure and Rural Development, Holger Rommen, revealed practical recommendations aimed at restoring soil health and boosting agricultural yields.
Forsen stressed that the first step to solving the soil acidity problem is targeted soil analysis.
“Before planting, farmers must test their soil to know whether it’s acidic,” she explained. “If it’s acidic, you need to adapt your fertilizer accordingly so the soil becomes more productive.”
She further encouraged the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Agriculture, to expand inland valley swamp farming, which allows multiple harvests per year and supports mixed cropping of rice, vegetables, and other staples.
Forsen also recommended composting with natural weeds and organic waste as a cost-free way for farmers to enrich the soil.
“You can make your own manure, and it will greatly improve soil fertility,” she added.
Agricultural experts warn that soil acidity measured on the pH scale often falls below 7 in many parts of Sierra Leone, with readings as low as 3.4 to 3.7. This acidity is primarily caused by a lack of calcium sulphate, phosphate minerals, and organic matter due to natural weathering processes. Such conditions limit nutrient availability and stunt plant growth.
Holger Rommen confirmed that the EU, in partnership with Njala University, completed a nationwide soil survey in 2024, revealing that much of Sierra Leone’s farmland is indeed acidic.
“It’s true that a lot of our soil is acidic,” Rommen said. “But there are solutions, though they come at a cost.”
Among his recommendations were:
- Applying natural neutralizers such as ground mussel shells or specific types of clay to reduce acidity.
- Choosing crop varieties—like cassava and sweet potatoes that are more tolerant to acidic conditions.
- Improving agricultural data systems to guide nationwide soil management strategies.
Paramount Chief and Member of Parliament Hon. Mima Kajue, herself a farmer in Moyamba District, voiced concern over how soil acidity is contributing to low harvest yields, particularly for smallholder farmers.
The WFP and EU emphasized that tackling soil acidity is not just an agricultural issue, but a food security imperative. Without urgent intervention, the country risks deepening its dependence on food imports and worsening rural poverty.