For Julianna Arnold-Williams, agriculture is more than a career, it’s a passion. Growing up in Sierra Leone, where agriculture underpins the economy and sustains more than 60% of the population, she witnessed both the potential and the challenges of the sector firsthand. Now, she’s on a mission to bring meaningful change to her country’s agricultural landscape.
Julianna is currently pursuing a Master of Agricultural Economics (Development) at The University of Western Australia through an Australia Awards scholarship. Her studies are equipping her with the tools to tackle some of Sierra Leone’s biggest agricultural hurdles — from low productivity and limited access to finance, to the growing threat of climate change.
And she’s not just studying, she’s excelling.
Julianna recently shone on the global stage at the 2025 International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) Global Student Case Competition. Competing in the International Team category, her group placed second, impressing leading agribusiness experts who commended them as the best presenters in the entire competition.
For Julianna, the event was more than a competition, it was a valuable learning experience, engaging and networking with the world’s leading agriculture specialists.
“It was also a way for me, as a postgraduate student, to test my knowledge in real-life agribusiness scenarios and learn from peers around the world,” she says.
Her motivation for joining the competition also came from the opportunity to engage with Brazil, one of the world’s agricultural powerhouses. The highlight, she says, was an agri-tour to Cutrale, a major global orange juice producer.
“The visit to their facilities made me see how large-scale agribusiness operates efficiently and sustainably. Also, I find it rewarding to have represented Sierra Leone on a global stage, as I am the only Sierra Leonean to have participated in the competition.”
These global insights are already reshaping Julianna’s vision for agriculture in Sierra Leone.
“This experience has given me new perspectives on the role of innovation and technology in improving agricultural productivity. I hope to return home and promote the use of technology in my work as a farmer and agribusiness promoter, and think of innovative ways we can use or harness locally available resources and techniques in agricultural practices.”
Her Australia Awards scholarship journey continues to open doors. Julianna attended a climate change and agriculture conference in Sri Lanka, where she built a network of researchers and professionals who will support her work after graduation. She has already been invited back as a keynote speaker for next year’s event.
She was also selected for the Cruzes Innovation Base Program 2025, which is helping her transform academic research into real-world solutions.
“So far, it’s providing me with valuable insights into how I can translate my research into real-life impact — which before this time I didn’t know. I just thought of my research as an academic criterion, but from resources provided, I am learning how to make it impactful for some stakeholders.”
Before returning to Sierra Leone, Julianna will complete a dissertation titled: Determinants of School Feeding Programs Across Countries (2019–2024).
Julianna’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when passion, opportunity, and purpose align. With every milestone, she moves closer to her goal: building a resilient, tech-driven and inclusive agricultural future for Sierra Leone.
