A report on Visit of Indian Delegation to Sierra Leone and Nigeria under the ICAR–CGIAR WorldFish Window 3 Project for building South–South Collaboration

Abstract

A team of Indian delegates led by Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR, along with Dr. Bikash Mandal, Assistant Director General (International Relations), Dr. P. K. Sahoo, Director, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, and Dr. Arun Padiyar P., Country Representative, WorldFish–India, visited Sierra Leone and Nigeria from 04 to 15 October 2025 under the South–South Collaboration component of the ICAR–WorldFish Window 3 project and with additional funding support from the OneCGIAR accelerator on capacity sharing. The visit aimed to facilitate capacity sharing and explore opportunities for research and development collaboration between India and African nations. The delegation held high-level meetings with government representatives, academicians and researchers, visited aquaculture farms, hatcheries, feed mills, and fish-processing facilities, and interacted with farming communities in both countries. Authorities, researchers, and entrepreneurs expressed strong interest in India’s aquaculture experience and technologies and sought technical assistance and investment partnerships. The Indian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, H.E. Mr. B. C. Pradhan, played a key role in facilitating the mission and requested preparation of a joint proposal for possible funding through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India.