(Semi)Subsistence Agricultural Systems in Sierra Leone: Present and Future Challenges

Abstract: The Government of Sierra Leone has recently published its National Sustainable Agriculture Development Plan (NSADP) 2010-2030 which contemplates the gradual erradication of shifting cultivation practices and the active promotion of vertically integrated processing and commercialisation chains for selected staple (rice and cassava) and export crops (cocoa and coffee). The aim of this article is to examine the implications of the changing agricultural policy for (semi)subsistance farmers who represent about two-thirds of the Sierra Leonean population. For this purpose farm typologies are introduced according to the diversity of cultivated crops. The analysis focuses on smallholders' food security, employment opportunities and access to inputs and natural resource. For this purpose, socio-economic data from a 2009 survey to 600 farm-households under the two main production systems of Sierra Leone are used. Results illustrate the potential impact on rural livelihoods during the implementation of the NSADP (including land leasing processes) and the challenges related to the transition period required to effectively replace shifting cultivation with permanent agricultural systems.

SARAVIA MATUS Silvia;  ACS Szvetlana;  GOMEZ Y PALOMA Sergio; 

2013-11-20

IFSA

JRC72820

http://ifsa.boku.ac.at/cms/fileadmin/Proceeding2012/IFSA2012_WS1.3_Matus.pdf,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC72820,