FINAL SOIL SURVEY REPORTS SUBMITTED TO NAO

The National Authorising Office has official received all 15-district reports for the National Comprehensive Soil Survey exercise that was funded by the European Union through the Boosting Agriculture and Food Security (BAFS) project as part of EU’s support to the Agricultural Sector in Sierra Leone.

NAO Director Ambrose James said the survey exercise works within the stipulated timelines, and the work is on target. He said further expressed delight that this extensive research and laboratory analyses have now been concluded.

The reports capture maps of Afro climatic/vegetation regions and rice agro ecological zones, soil fertility management zones, soil types and land suitability for major crops. It also captures land suitability for 19 major crops are across each of the 15 districts. This is interesting data that will inform policy making and supports the Big 5 Agenda with specific focus on the Feed Salone pillar.

Ambrose James said the report is a great achievement and milestone as extensive fieldwork and laboratory analyses have been conducted for over three years. He said the last time a national comprehensive soil survey was conducted was in 1979.

Ambrose James thanked Njala University, Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), Ministry of Agriculture, and Food Security for leading this research, with funding from the European Union

On 16th November, at DOHAS Hotel in Bo a team of researchers from Njala University presented a draft report of the National Comprehensive Soil Survey funded by the European Union through the Boosting Agriculture and Food Security (BAFS) project as part of EU’s support to the Agricultural Sector in Sierra Leone.

The research brought out the characterisation of agro climate regions, agro ecological zones, land use, soil fertility and determination of land sustainability for cropping in Sierra Leone.

At the National Authorising Office (NAO), under the supervision of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development we continue to facilitate GOSL-EU development cooperation for the benefit of Sierra Leone.