Advancing nutrition through agri-food systems transformation – Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone initiative
Sierra Leone holds substantial agricultural potential, underpinned by abundant water resources, fertile soils, and diverse agroecological zones. Nourished by seven major rivers and extensive inland valley swamplands, the country is well positioned to expand domestic food production. At present, however, only about 15% of its fertile land is cultivated due to long-standing structural constraints, i.e. low productivity, limited access to finance, skill gaps and underdeveloped value chains.
Unlocking Sierra Leone's agricultural potential requires tackling these constraints along with others such as low mechanizations and high post-harvest losses. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Sierra Leone's economy and food security, employing a large share of the population, pointing to significant opportunities for productivity gains through target investments, skills development and value chain strengthening.
The case study explores how multisectoral collaboration across health, agriculture, education, climate, and social protection is helping address the country’s complex nutrition challenges, including all forms of malnutrition and diet-related non-communicable diseases.
Launched in 2023, the Feed Salone initiative aims to strengthen food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition through a coordinated, whole-of-government approach. It links agriculture, nutrition, education and climate resilience - including through school feeding and investments in key value chains - backed by increased public financing and stronger institutional coordination. In this context, Feed Salone demonstrates how policy coherence and sustained investment can advance nutrition through agri-food systems transformation.
The story was developed by the Coalition of Action on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems for Children and All (HDSFS) as part of a broader series on country-level food systems transformation developed under the One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Programme, with support from the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture.
Read the full story on UN Nutrition's website!
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Addressing the stages of the Value Chain:
