By Fatima Kpaka
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security has advocated for stricter regulations and improved accountability in fertilizer importation, agro-dealer licensing, and the distribution of agro-chemicals across Sierra Leone.
During a recent session, the Committee scrutinized the regulatory framework and operational challenges faced by the agency responsible for ensuring fertilizer quality control and overseeing private sector participation in the agriculture supply chain. The Committee Chair underscored the urgent need for transparent registration systems, updated data on licensed agro-dealers, and consistent monitoring to prevent the circulation of substandard products in the market.
Representatives of the regulatory agency outlined their role in enforcing compliance and quality assurance, explaining that their focus is on ensuring that fertilizers and agro-inputs imported into Sierra Leone adhere to international standards, including those established by ECOWAS. This involves pre-clearance inspections, sample testing, and certification, with distribution rights granted only to authorized, trained, and registered companies.
“Fertilizer shipments are not cleared from the port until laboratory tests validate their quality,” the agency representative stated.
Highlighting a private-sector-driven approach, the agency revealed that over 500 agro-dealers have been registered under a system that provides a three-year license. This measure aims to reduce the burden of annual renewals while ensuring dealers are equipped with the necessary training and knowledge of regulatory best practices. However, the Committee raised concerns about the integrity of the registration database, noting that outdated records may misrepresent active participants in the sector.
“We need accurate and current data on the agro-dealers operating in this sector. Relying on figures from five years ago is misleading,” one Committee member remarked.
The agency acknowledged these concerns, explaining that dealers who fail to renew their licenses after three years are flagged as inactive. It also emphasized collaborative efforts, with a board comprised of representatives across the agriculture and regulatory sectors, including presidential appointees and other statutory institutions.
“Building systems that balance private sector realities with the need for quality assurance is essential to safeguarding food security,” the agency official commented.
The Committee closed the session by urging the agency to enhance communication with Parliament, reinforce monitoring mechanisms, and take swift action against non-compliant entities. This oversight initiative signals a commitment to ensuring the quality and integrity of agricultural inputs and fostering an accountable agro-dealer network in Sierra Leone.