General Information

1.1 Introduction

Njala University is the Agricultural University of Sierra Leone and therefore the School of Agriculture is the main entity of the University. Agriculture is the main stay of the Sierra Leone economy, contributing over 36 % to the GDP and employing over 70 % of the rural population. Therefore the role of the School of Agriculture in national development cannot be overemphasized. The School is made up of seven Departments/Institutes.

1.2 Structural Components

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1.2.1 The Mission

The School sees itself as a facilitating agent in the areas of agricultural and national development and seeks to contribute positively to these areas. Considering the level of under- development in the country particularly in the agricultural sector, the areas of concern in which the School is of service seem inexhaustible. Thus the School addresses itself to issues on teaching, agricultural research and technology development and transfer to farmers and other relevant bodies.

1.2.2 Purpose

The purpose of the School based on its mission is therefore to provide higher education in agriculture through flexible admission policies to allow men and women equal opportunity regardless of tribe, belief and origin to higher education in agriculture for agricultural sector and national development.

1.2.3 General Objectives

(a) provide instruction in all branches of agriculture and make provision for research and the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in agriculture

(b) provide services in the area of agriculture for persons who are not regularly enrolled in the University

(c) teach courses leading to the award of degrees, diplomas and certificates in all branches of agriculture

1.2.4 Goals

To achieve the above objectives the School relentlessly works towards:

(a) the attainment of the highest academic standard competitive with regional and international agricultural institutions of higher learning

(b) the provision of regular supplies of highly educated agriculturalists, nutritionists, food technologists and community development experts capable of effectively and efficiently managing the affairs of state and the community they serve

(c) the contribution to agricultural and nutritional policies and decision making within framework of national development

(d) the building of teaching and research capacity of academic staff to enhance their own as well as students intellectual horizon and promoting outreach goals through appropriate extension strategies

1.3 Accreditation and Academic Links

To strengthen academic and/ or research capacity and to foster international educational cooperation, various link arrangements exit between the School and institutions in and out of Sierra Leone. The School has links with the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) and some of its staff members are Principal Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows or Research Fellows involved in both on-farm and on-station research to improve farmers’ productivity of rice, maize, cassava, sweet potato, yam, groundnut, soybean and cowpea. The School also collaborates with international research institutions such as International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Centre for Research in Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and International Potato Centre (CIP) in the development of high yielding crop varieties, tolerant/resistant to major pests and diseases. The School has strong linkage with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at Vienna, Austria, University of Ibadan (UI) and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria, Illinois University, Iowa State University and Oklahoma State University in the USA.

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