By: Josephine Nyeweah in Kenema district
Bomborhun, Kailahun District, Sierra Leone – July 28, 2025 – The Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (AVDP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), has completed 7-day intensive training aimed at strengthening the technical capacity of IVS technicians and MAFS District Agricultural Engineers (AEDs).
The training brought together 57 participants—43 IVS technicians and 14 MAFS AEDs—who were trained in Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) development and rehabilitation, as well as the operation of Differential GPS and drone systems for topographic mapping.
The training also focused on designing water management structures such as bunds, canals, and spillways, and introduced standard procedures for digital land survey documentation.
Mr. Joseph Ganda, Deputy Director of the MAFS Engineering Division, who served as co-facilitator, emphasized that the knowledge gained should be applied at the community level. He highlighted AVDP’s role in supporting the Feed Salone initiative, particularly Pillar One on irrigation and mechanization and Pillar Two on technology adoption.
Ahmed Sheriff, AVDP Irrigation Officer for the Eastern Region, explained that the objective was to enhance practical skills in IVS development, surveying, and water structure design using drone and GPS technology, while promoting effective collaboration between the IVS technicians and the MAFS Engineering Division.
Christiana Moiwo, an IVS technician from Moyamba District, expressed her gratitude: “This is my first time flying a drone and using Differential GPS. I’m happy—it’s a great experience.”
Through AVDP, the government is creating employment, building local expertise, and contributing to sustainable food sufficiency.
