MAFS Launches Training to Boost Accuracy of Nutrition Data

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has launched a four-day intensive training workshop aimed at improving the accuracy of nutrition data in Sierra Leone.

The initiative, held in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), and the Nutrition Directorate of the Ministry of Health, focuses on the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS).

The workshop, hosted at the Ministry’s Conference Room on the 1st Floor of the Youyi Building, concentrates on Portion Size Estimation Methods (PSEM) a key tool for enhancing the reliability of dietary intake and micronutrient data. Accurate nutrition data is essential for identifying population nutrition gaps and informing effective policy and intervention strategies.

Participants include technical personnel and stakeholders involved in nutrition data collection, analysis, and reporting across Sierra Leone. The training will equip them with practical skills to improve the quality of dietary data, which is critical for evidence-based decision-making in nutrition and public health programs.

Speaking at the opening session, MAFS officials highlighted that the initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration and using reliable data to guide policy planning and nutrition interventions.

“This training is vital for ensuring that nutrition data accurately reflects the dietary patterns and micronutrient status of our population,” the Ministry stated.

The four-day workshop is expected to conclude on 22 January 2026, preparing participants to

contribute to more effective nutrition monitoring, planning, and public health policy in the country.