Strengthening of the Pest and Pesticide Regulatory System in Sierra Leone - TCP/SIL/3803

Abstract

Although Sierra Leone has made strides in improving crop protection to increase agricultural production and export, the sector still faces significant challenges. Farmers experience significant crop losses of between 50 and 70 percent in fields or during storage and processing due to poor pests and diseases control management, mainly because of inadequate national expertise in phytosanitary and good agricultural practices (GAPs) to combat outbreaks. As a result, agricultural productivity is low and the quality of exported goods is substandard. Moreover, the use of unsafe pesticides, inadequate pesticide inspection, improper monitoring, and misuse of pesticides make agricultural produce hazardous, surpassing the acceptable maximum residue limit standards for agricultural and environmental criteria. These challenges are further compounded by the lack of effective pest and pesticide management policies and regulations, phytosanitary guidelines, and inadequately trained personnel in phytosanitary and crop protection to assist farmers.