FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 02/97

SIERRA LEONE

CURRENT SITUATION

An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited Sierra Leone from 27 November to 9 December 1996 to estimate the production of 1995 and 1996, and the national food requirements for 1997. The Mission found that agricultural production like all other productive sectors of the economy, had been badly affected by the war which started in the Southern and Eastern parts of the country in 1991 and spread to the rest of the country by the end of 1994, becoming most devastating in 1995. The war caused large-scale displacement of farmers, thereby cutting off large portions of land from production. Apart from being displaced, many farmers, particularly those in areas which were under frequent attacks, also lost their seeds, tools, on-farm storage facilities and other productive assets to the extent that even those returning from the displacement camps have not been able to resume normal production without help from relief agencies and NGOs. It is estimated that about 180 000 farm families were directly affected by the conflict. As a result, agricultural production has drastically dropped throughout the country in the last five years.

The Mission reckoned that the worst year was 1995, when production of paddy is estimated at 355 500 tons, some 27 percent below the 1993 level. The Mission estimated that food production for 1996 will be an improvement over the previous year, with paddy production forecast at about 391 000 tons, 10 percent above last year. Production of root crops is also projected to increase to an estimated 328 000 tons, 7 percent above that of last year. The Mission estimated that the total area planted to rice in 1996 reached some 289 200 hectares, 5 percent larger than in the previous year.

With this production, and considering no change in the level of stocks, the cereal import requirement for 1997 is estimated at 260 000 tons and the food aid requirement at 80 000 tons. Cereal food aid requirements to support resettlement/rehabilitation activities implemented by WFP and CRS have been estimated at 60 500 tons for 1997. The signing of the peace agreement on 30 November marked a new era which should see even greater improvement in agricultural production if the peace settlement is given the opportunity to take root. The Mission observed significant improvement in the overall farming situation with much enthusiasm displayed by farmers and the IDPs returning for resettlement in their villages.