Rains started in late February in the south-east, becoming widespread over the entire country in late March, April and May. Planting of rice is underway in the west, whilst cassava is planted over the entire country.
Following the disarmament and demobilization of a total of 21 300 soldiers, security conditions are returning to normal. A peace keeping force is controlling the country, though national elections which were planned for late May have been postponed to mid July 1997. The food supply situation is improving following recovery of trade and commercial activities. Internally Displaced Persons and refugees are returning to their homes and economic activities are being resumed. Agricultural activities are also recovering, following peace conditions prevailing since the beginning of the year. The distribution of seeds and tools is underway nationwide, organized by the Seeds and Tools Committee. A total of 2 700 tons of rice seed and more than 30 000 farming tools are being distributed to about 118 000 vulnerable households. Food aid is also being distributed to cover consumption needs during the planting season. However, in many areas, seed/tool delivery has been delayed, due to poor security and road conditions, notably in the south, where the growing season started in February/March. Quantities of rice seed were also insufficient to cover needs. Although additional quantities have been bought, shipments that had to come from Freetown have been suspended due to civil disturbances in Sierra Leone and will arrive too late for the end of the planting period.
Food production in 1997 is expected to improve somewhat from past years. However, recovery will continue to be constrained by the lack of tools and seeds, the short time farmers had to prepare land, notably in the south east, as well as poor rural infrastructure. An FAO Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission that visited Liberia late last year estimated 1996 paddy production at about 95 000 tons or roughly 30 percent of production pre-civil strife. For 1997, taking into account a rise in population to 2 million people, including returning refugees and using an average per caput consumption over 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.
In order to improve the food security situation in the country, FAO is assisting with a number of development activities in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors.