CAFOD

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Land grabbing and its implications on food
security in Sierra Leone- the case of Addax
ORYX Group
Presented by Sam DANSE, Mano River
Representative CAFOD Joseph Ahmed Turay,
Caritas Makeni 14-16th. November 2011
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Sierra Leone- Geography and people

• Tropical Climate with two distinct seasons-
  Dry(December-April) and rainy( May-November)
• Annual temperature is 26-28 degrees Celsius
  between June-October
• Highest temperatures of 36 degrees in March
• Average annual rainfall is 3556mm
• Population is 4.97 million(2004)
• 4/5 live under 1/day

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Agriculture Food security Facts and myths in
Sierra Leone

• A naturally resources endowed country by 80 of
  the people remain in poverty
• Have the potential and comparative advantage to
  produce and export rice but still uses 45 of
  GDP to import rice
• One of the rear countries in the world with
  fertile land where neither organic nor chemical
  fertilizers is needed to increase crop yield
• Agriculture and other related activities sustain
  about two thirds of the population
• 4/5 of the population live under 1/day despite
  its numerous endowed resources( UNDP 2008)

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The Addax ORYX GROUP Land deals Sierra Leone

• Addax Bioenergy Sierra Leone Limited- Swiss-based
  Energy Co.
• 57,000 acres of land leased out _at_ 3.60/ acre
  /year for next 50 years.
• 50 of rent to land owners who are basically
  farmersadditional 1.40.
• 60 villages and 13,617 peoples livelihoods
  affected no resettlement requirements to fulfill
• I

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The Addax ORYX GROUP Land deals Sierra Leone
Contd.-Promises to farmers

• 1.To create about 3,000jobs for youth in
  affected communities between 2010-2013 and
  increasing to 4,000 by 2015
• 2. Major infrastructure facelift of the resettled
  communities including schools
• 3. The project will ensure that no assets, crops
  or trees
• are destroyed prior to those affected being
  resettled and
• compensated for any loss
• 4. Farmer Development programmes with farmer
  field schools

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Why the Rush for this project by the Government

• will provide job opportunities for Sierra
  Leoneans at all skills levels,
• provide significant foreign direct investment it
• is export oriented
• makes extensive use of local raw materials
• will ensure the development and transfer of a
  variety of skills and technology
• will produce a surplus electricity for
  commercial purposes and makes use of renewable
  energy resources.

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Only 200 locals employed as casual labourers
and paid a paltry 2.50/day so farNo housing
or schools build only accommodation for
Zimbabwean and white expertsSeveral trees have
been feel down and many more continue to be
destroyed Promised schools, health facilities,
a community center, andwater wells none of
these have come to fruition.
Ground Realities
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Implications for
food security

• Flora and fauna in affected 60 communities
  destroyed hence denying farm families protein
  from wild meat supplements
• Fertile farmlands have been taken away from
  farmers
• Female farmers net losers-dont own land and not
  compensated
• The land taken is the most fertile land for rice
  production in Bombali District 1ha/7 people.
• Fula livestock farmers affected

Quality rice produced by Senesi Barrie in
affected area
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Addax came here telling us they would remove
us from our poverty, said Hassan Sankor in
Malinka Village .Instead, they are adding to
it.
Some Key lessons in the field
Hassan 50 years now burn destroyed trees by Addax
to make charcoal for sale since his farm has been
affected
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Way forward for CAFOD partner
Caritas Makeni

• Rights-based proactive non-violence approach to
  secure a better deal for affected farmers
• Livelihood Enhancement and Sustainability sector
  of addax as entry point
• Start discussions with the Addax management to
  ensure that food security of farmers is not
  compromised
• Monitor the effects on eco-system, water bodies
  and other aspects of local farmers lives and use
  this to engage with Addax
• Produce evidenced-based information through
  interviews to engage Addax, the state and local
  councils to ensure a better deal for farmers
  especially the promotion of mechanized rice
  farming, processing and value addition
• Awareness creation and sensitization whilst
  creating an enabling environment for a win-win
  situation for farmers especially with regards to
  food security.

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Questions and clarifications