Dr. Prince Emmanuel Norman | SLARI | Sierra Leone
Dr. Prince Emmanuel Norman (b. 7 November 1977) is a Sierra Leonean plant breeder currently serving as Chief Research Officer and Deputy Director-General for Research, Technology and Innovation Development at the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI). Based at Njala Agricultural Research Centre and Tower Hill, Freetown, he leads strategic crop‑improvement efforts across the country. With over two decades of experience spanning research assistant to senior leadership roles, Dr. Norman has contributed significantly to yam, cassava, cocoyam, maize and wheat breeding programs. His expertise manifests through participatory farmer trials and multi‐location experiments in Sierra Leone and beyond. Married and an avid reader, teacher, and listener, he brings a collaborative, educational, and data-driven approach to agricultural innovation in West Africa.
Profile:
Education:
Dr. Norman holds a BSc (Hons) in Crop Science from Njala University College, University of Sierra Leone (1999–2003). He advanced his training with an MSc in Crop Science from Njala University (2005–2006), followed by an MSc in Plant Breeding at the University of KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa (2009–2011). After a period of professional service, he pursued a PhD in Plant Breeding at the University of Ghana, completing it in 2019. Across these institutions, he developed strong expertise in breeding methodologies, statistical design, participatory variety selection (PVS), and crop yield analysis. His academic path reflects a progressive specialization in plant breeding, grounded in both local experience and advanced international training—preparing him to lead major crop research initiatives at SLARI.
Experience:
Dr. Norman began his career in 2004 as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), where he wrote proposals, supervised field trials, and reported findings. He advanced to Research Officer III positions at IAR and later Njala Agricultural Research Centre (2006–2011), leading yam varietal trials and PVS on farmers’ fields. From 2011 to 2016, he served as Research Officer II, leading yam and cocoyam improvement programs. After completing his PhD in 2019, he returned in 2020 as Research Officer I, again guiding breeding initiatives. In March 2024, he was appointed Chief Research Officer / Deputy Director-General, Research, Technology and Innovation Development at SLARI, taking charge of national research policy, technology rollout, and innovation strategy in Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector.
Research Interests:
Dr. Norman is passionate about breeding resilient staple crops—particularly yam, cassava, cocoyam, maize, and wheat—to enhance food security in Sierra Leone under changing climatic conditions. His work focuses on participatory variety selection (PVS), genotype‑environment interaction analysis, disease resistance (notably to grasshoppers, mosaic disease, Fusarium and leaf pathogens), nitrogen and sulfur fertilization regimes, and precision agriculture. He is also interested in germplasm characterization, genomic selection, socio‑economic impact assessment of environmental issues, and integrating climate smart strategies into breeding programs. His multi‑disciplinary interests span crop improvement, plant pathology, entomology, environmental protection, and public health, making his research both scientifically rigorous and socially relevant.
Awards & Recognitions:
While not listed explicitly, Dr. Norman’s consistent appointment to senior strategic roles—culminating in his elevation to Chief Research Officer and Deputy Director-General at SLARI in March 2024—reflects formal recognition of his leadership and expertise. His repeated collaborations with international institutions (University of Ghana, University of KwaZulu‑Natal) and publications in high-impact journals such as Plants, Horticulturae, Advances in Entomology, and Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences underscore peer recognition. His inclusion as lead or co‑author across more than 60 research articles between 2004 and 2025 attests to sustained excellence. He’s also been repeatedly entrusted to lead national crop improvement programs and multi-author international projects, indicating trust and recognition in professional circles.
Publications Top Notes:
Identification and Distribution of Begomoviruses Infecting Cassava Fields in Sierra Leone.
Detection of Cassava Mosaic Disease and Assessment of Selected Agronomic Traits of Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i>).
Genetic and agronomic parameter estimates of growth, yield and related traits of maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) under different rates of nitrogen fertilization.
Characterization of the Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i>) Germplasm in Sierra Leone Based on Agro-Morphological and Culinary Traits.
Challenges in Developing Aquaculture for Livelihood Enhancement in Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone.
Farmers’ perception on severity, crop loss and management practices of variegated grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus L.) on cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Sierra Leone.
Genetic Structure and Diversity Study of Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i>) Germplasm for African Cassava Mosaic Disease and Fresh Storage Root Yield.
Impact of different types of green manure on pests and disease incidence and severity as well as growth and yield parameters of maize.
Impact of Different Types of Green Manure on Pests and Disease Incidence and Severity as Well as Growth and Yield Parameters of Maize.
Molecular and phenotypic profiling of white Guinea yam (<i>Dioscorea rotundata</i>) breeding lines.
Conclusion:
Dr. Prince Emmanuel Norman is a distinguished plant breeder and research leader whose career spans over 20 years of progressive responsibility, from field-level variety trials to national research governance. His strong academic credentials—culminating in a PhD in Plant Breeding—and extensive publication record highlight his expertise in crop improvement, pest and disease resistance, participatory selection, and sustainable agricultural technologies. As CRO and Deputy Director-General at SLARI, he is shaping Sierra Leone’s agricultural research and innovation agenda. His work delivers scientific rigor while remaining rooted in local farmer realities, advancing food security and resilience in West Africa.