FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 05/97

LIBERIA

CURRENT SITUATION

The security situation is improving. The disarmament and demobilisation process was concluded officially the 9 February 1997 and a total of 21 300 fighters were demobilised. Large quantities of weapons and ammunitions have been collected but some pockets of armed fighters are still remaining in the south east. The peace keeping force is deploying throughout the country and national elections are planned for late May 1997. Faction's check-points have been dismantled and Internally Displaced Persons and refugees are spontaneously returning to their homes, notably in Lofa, Grand Bassa and River Cess counties. Agricultural activities are recovering, following peace conditions prevailing since the beginning of the year. Displaced people are reconstructing their houses and preparing the land for the forthcoming growing season. The 1997 food production is expected to improve from past years. However, it will be hampered by a lack of hand tools, low stocks of rice seeds and the short time farmers had to prepare land, notably in the south east were rains have already started, as well as poor rural infrastructures which have been partially or totally destroyed. An extensive assessment of basic farming input needs has been conducted by FAO and other organizations represented in the Seeds and Tools Committee, and shows that approximately 100 000 vulnerable households are in need of agricultural inputs to resume farming activities. An additional 37 000 returnees households are needing assistance. The most vulnerable areas are located in the western and south-eastern parts of the country. The food supply and nutritional situation is improving following the quick recovery of trade and commercial activities. FAO has been assisting the Forestry Development Authority to elaborate a proposal for a forestry rehabilitation plan, in which 1 000 jobs will be created, including 500 for ex-combatants and 200 for women. Similarly, FAO is collaborating with the Rubber Planters Association, in order to assist small-holder rubber plantations. Twenty private plantations have been identified, with another twenty in the pipeline. The distribution of seeds, agricultural tools and fertilizer to vulnerable farmers for the forthcoming growing season is underway. FAO has also commenced the distribution of fishing equipment to a targeted population of 1 725 beneficiaries in Montserrado and Margibi Counties. A workshop on the effective utilization of this equipment and marketing techniques is being planned in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.

An FAO Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited Liberia late last year. Despite hostilities throughout 1996, the mission estimated that the rice crop was considerably larger in 1996 than 1995. This was largely due to improved security in the two main rice producing areas, which enabled various NGOs to distribute seeds and tools. 1996 paddy production is estimated to be about 95 000 tons or roughly 30 percent of production pre-war. Cassava is an important supplementary food to which farmers have switched. While food aid received in 1996 was less than the level recommended by a similar Mission in late 1995, commercial rice imports were in line with projections and were substantially higher than 1995 (up to 35 000 tons from about 20 000 tons in 1995). For 1997, taking into account a rise in population to 2 million people due to a partial return of refugees to Liberia and using a per caput consumption level equal to the last five years average, the projected cereal deficit will grow to about 165 000 tons. With commercial cereal imports projected at 50 000 tons, the cereal food aid requirement is estimated at 115 000 tons.