FAO Hands Over Digital Farmer Registry to Mano River Union
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) officially handed over the Digital Farmer Registry to the Mano River Union (MRU) on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, during a well-attended ceremony at the MRU Secretariat in Freetown. The platform is expected to revolutionize regional agriculture by improving farmer data management, enhancing decision-making, and strengthening food security and rural development across MRU member states—Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
A Transformational Tool for Regional Agriculture
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Ama Gborie Foday, Deputy Secretary of the MRU Secretariat, described the initiative as a game-changer that will empower policymakers, development partners, and farmers with real-time, structured agro-data for better planning and targeted interventions.
“On behalf of the Mano River Union Secretariat and our esteemed member states, I extend my sincere appreciation to the FAO for their unwavering support in making this initiative a reality,” she said, reaffirming the MRU’s commitment to ensuring the effective and sustainable implementation of the Digital Farmer Registry.
FAO Reaffirms Commitment to Food Security
Representing Madam Bintia S. Tchicaya, FAO Program Lead for Social Protection in Africa, FAO Sierra Leone Representative Saeed Abubakar Bancie emphasized that the initiative marks a pivotal milestone in the execution of the FAO/MRU joint work plan on social protection. He reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to enhancing food security, strengthening agricultural policies, and integrating social protection initiatives across the Mano River region.
“The Digital Farmer Registry is more than just a technological advancement; it is a powerful enabler of inclusive, data-driven agricultural policies, planning, and decision-making,” Bancie remarked.
A Catalyst for Agricultural Growth and Economic Empowerment
His Excellency, Ambassador Simon M.B. Harrison, Secretary General of the MRU, described the registry as a catalyst for agricultural growth, economic empowerment, and regional integration. He expressed his gratitude to FAO and all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the initiative and hailed it as the beginning of a new era for digital innovation in agriculture and social protection in the MRU region.
Capacity Building for Effective Implementation
Prior to the handover ceremony, a Training of Trainers session was conducted, inaugurated by Harding Bockarie Wuyango of FAO Programs. Participants were drawn from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), MRU Secretariat staff, and other key stakeholders. The training, facilitated by SmartConekt, aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills for the effective rollout and utilization of the Digital Farmer Registry.
The launch of this digital platform represents a significant step towards leveraging technology for agricultural development, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and boosting food security in the Mano River region.
