The Agri-Business Development from Organic Resources (ADORE) Project implemented by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and funded by the European Union (EU) under the Boosting Agriculture and Food Security (BAFS) portfolio has on Friday 4th August 2023 concluded a three-day workshop at Tiwai Island to develop course modules on Organic Agriculture and Certification.
The effort is geared towards the introduction of undergraduate certificate and Diploma courses on Organic Agriculture which is a first in Sierra Leone. Njala University is spearheading the curriculum development with support from WHH under the ADORE Project.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop at Tiwai Island, Dr. Sheku Alfred Kanu, a Lecturer in the Crop Science Department at Njala University and focal person between the two institutions, stated that the workshop is geared towards ensuring the course contents are in line with the requirements of the Ministry of Tertiary Education.
“Another objective is to explore the roadmap to extending the organic agriculture Programme to Bachelor of Science and online Master of Science,” Dr. Kanu went to explain; adding that after all of this is done, the Senate of the University would review and then approved the commencement of the program.
He thanked WHH for the support which he noted would put the University on the map, as they look forward to further collaboration in different academic areas.
Dr. Kumba Yannah Karim-Koroma, a Plant Breeder and Lecturer in the Crop Science Department (School of Agriculture and Food Sciences) of Njala University said that developing the curriculum is very significant and a novelty in the Mano River Basin.
She disclosed that the University has already advertised the courses in this academic year while encouraging more students to enroll to be qualifie3d in the area of organic agriculture and certification. Dr. Koroma also appreciated the support of WHH Sierra Leone in ensuring the program becomes a reality.
The Advocacy and Policy Officer of WHH ADORE Project, Fred John Banya emphasized the need for the University to roll out these courses as organic agriculture is lucrative, safe and minimize health issues with production of various foodstuff using organic approaches and methods of agriculture.
“Supporting this venture is a great achievement on the part of WHH Sierra Leone as we are proud to be throwing our weight behind a worthy cause,” Fred Banya stated.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of ADORE Project, Mustapha Sheriff, explained that developing a detailed curriculum on organic agriculture and certification is key to building the human resources base needed in Sierra Leone.
He went on to state that as a new sphere of study in the country, students must take advantage of the opportunity as it would be profitable soon.
After the end of the workshop, Mustapha noted that the sessions of had been very interactive, and that the introduction of the courses will enhance the development of organic agriculture in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Momodu Sahid Kanu, Head of Department of Agribusiness Management and Deputy Director of the Centre for Pedagogical Excellence at Njala University said that he is excited to be part of this exercise as this “will eventually boost the economic earnings of the country in the long term.”
The introduction of organic agriculture, he noted, will improve the skills of the farmers in management and farming.
Dr. Kanu thanked WHH for the support toward actualizing the introduction of the undergraduate courses at the University.
Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Food Technology, Nutrition and Consumer Studies (School of Agriculture and Food Sciences) at Njala University – Dr. Tamba S. Sonda stated that they are fully committed to completing the task of developing the curriculum which he noted, will open a whole phase in the country’s push for agricultural transformation.
Sierra is known to be practicing organic agriculture by default but this ongoing effort by WHH under the ADORE Project is to ensure the country pushes forward with organic agriculture by design with the rolling out of the undergraduate courses at Njala University.
