Transforming Agriculture in Sierra Leone Presentation at SLARI Retreat October 26-28, 2015 by Robert Kagbo, Ph.D. Consultant
Where SL Is Where SL Wants to Go How Does It Get There Outline Where SL Is Where SL Wants to Go How Does It Get There
Where SL is
Upland Rice Cultivation – Sierra Leone
Upland Rice Mixed Farming
Inland Valley Swamp Rice Cultivation
Makali Irrigation Scheme - Tonkolili
Grain Drying Floor – Sierra Leone
Rice Areas, Production, and Yields in Sierra Leone Year Area (Ha) Production (mt) Yield (ton/ha) Self-Sufficiency (%) 2001 258,850 310,620 1.20 37.93 2006 422,556 563,000 1.33 62.15 2013 671,422 1,255 1.87 119.93 Source: PEMSD/MAFFS
Where SL Wants to Go (Indonesian Example)
Water Diversion - Irrigation
Mini Dam
President - Rice Seed Production Association
Rice Seed Drying Floor
IR 64 Rice Seed – 5 Kg
Rice and Chili Pepper Nursery
Rice-Based Multiple Cropping
Manual Rice Harvesting and Threshing
Foot Operated Rice Thresher
Rice Pedal Thresher
Vegetables Production – Pilot Farm
Citrus Pilot Farmer
Backyard Fish Pond
Household Poultry Raising
Household Livestock Raising
Road Side Vendor
Cassava Products
Agro-Processing & Packaging
How Does SL Get There
Role of Sierra Leone Government Strong Political Will Backed by Resources Maximum use of Nationals in Development Government Provides Basic Services Incentive Package for Local Entrepreneurs Good Infrastructure and Communication Investment Priorities in Areas of High Potential Maximum Use of Water Resources Reasonable Taxes on Ag Goods
COMMODITY CHAIN CONTINUUM FARM PRODUCE (MARKET) PROCESSED PRODUCE (MARKET) CONSUMERS (SOCIETY) (INDUSTRY) R&D PRODUCTION Farmers Development Agents Credit Providers Ag Input Suppliers Farmers - Bulky Product Short Shelf Life Limited Market - Low Farmer Prices Agronomists Breeders Soil Scientists Farmers Agro-Processors Entrepreneurs - Range of Products - Increased Shelf Life - Reduced Volume - Expanded Markets - Better Prices Feedback
Linking Farmers to Markets
World Hope’s Strategic Approach Organized 157 Farmers Groups to supply fruit to its Subsidiary Africa Felix Juice WHI Extension mobilize farmers to bring fruit to Buying Centers AFJ buys the Fruit at one Price that is Partly Determined by Global Trends Fruit is Processed by AFJ into Concentrate or Juice for Export to Europe
Tour of the AFJ Factory by the VC Training Participants
Demonstration of Sucker Curing/Disinfection Before Planting
Removing stumps for plowing after brushing pineapple farm
Manual plowing of pineapple farm to reduce inputs reimbursement burden
Sorting suckers into four sizes prior to planting
Planting of suckers in rows and on raised beds
Demonstration of fertilizer weighing to ensure application of correct dose
Basal Fertilizer Application
Weeding of pineapple farm
Take Home Message Until The Farm Produce Ends Up to the Consumer Our Work is Not FINISHED!!!
WU NA TENKI