Training Workshop Enhances Skills of MAFS Extension Staff in Conducting Facilitated Group Discussions for the Sierra Leone Food and Recipe Lists

In a concerted effort to enhance the capacity of extension staff at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) in Sierra Leone, a crucial training workshop was successfully concluded at the MAFS conference hall, Youyi Building. Organized by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), MAFS, and the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), the training aimed to address gaps in the Food and Recipe Lists for Sierra Leone through facilitated group discussions.

The one-day training workshop focused on equipping MAFS extension staff with the skills necessary to identify key chiefdoms in each district, effectively engage communities, and prepare target groups for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The training was particularly geared towards gathering vital information for the Sierra Leone Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (SLFCMS), a project that aims to create a comprehensive database on food consumption patterns and micronutrient intake across the country.

Dr. Martha S. E. William-Ngegba, the project lead, provided an insightful overview of the Sierra Leone Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (SLFCMS) and outlined the key objectives of the training. She emphasized the importance of this exercise in strengthening the nutritional database for the country, which will be critical for policy formulation and improving food security interventions.

The opening session featured a series of impactful statements from distinguished guests, including:

• Mr. Sahr Hemore, Deputy Minister II of Agriculture and Food Security, who highlighted the importance of the training in empowering staff to engage with communities and address food security challenges.
• The Senior Permanent Secretary, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the success of the SLFCMS project and improving agricultural extension services.
• Mr. Aiah Joseph Thorlie, Deputy Chief Agriculture Officer, urged participants to utilize the skills learned to improve data collection efforts in their respective districts.
• Dr. Prince E. Norman, Deputy Director General for Research and Innovation Development at SLARI, stressed the significance of research and innovation in enhancing the food system resilience in Sierra Leone.
• Dr. Busie Maziya-Dixon, a Senior Nutritionist from IITA, Nigeria, shared insights on the role of nutrition data in shaping future food security policies and improving public health outcomes.

The training workshop was skillfully moderated by Mrs. Mariama Turay from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Participants expressed their appreciation for the interactive and hands-on nature of the training, noting that it provided them with practical tools to engage communities effectively and ensure the success of the upcoming data collection activities.

The workshop covered essential topics to enable the smooth execution of FGDs, including:

a)???? Training on Facilitating Group Discussions: Participants were taught how to effectively lead group discussions and extract relevant data from community members.

b)???? Data Collection Procedures: The training provided guidelines on proper data collection methods to ensure accuracy and reliability.

c)???? Roles and Responsibilities of Team Members: Participants were trained on the importance of teamwork and the roles each team member should play during data collection.

d)???? How to Recruit Participants: Attendees were provided with strategies for selecting and engaging the right individuals from target communities to ensure inclusive and diverse representation in the discussions.

The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment from all parties to continue working together to advance food security and nutrition research in Sierra Leone. The knowledge gained from this training will undoubtedly play a critical role in filling the gaps in the Food and Recipe Lists and strengthening the overall resilience of the country's food systems.