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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
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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 JuneOctober
•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 $1/day despite its
numerous endowed resources( UNDP 2008)
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The Addax & ORYX GROUP Land deals Sierra
Leone
•Addax Bioenergy Sierra Leone
Limited- Swiss-based Energy Co.
•57,000 acres of land leased out
@$ 3.60/ acre /year for next 50
years.
•50% of rent to land owners who
are basically farmers;additional
$1.40.
•60 villages and 13,617 people’s
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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Ground Realities
Only 200 locals employed as
casual labourers and paid a
paltry $2.50/day so far
No housing or schools build ; only
accommodation for Zimbabwean
and white experts
Several trees have been feel
down and many more continue to
be destroyed
Promised schools, health
facilities, a community center, and
water wells – none of these have
come to fruition.
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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-don’t
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
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Quality rice produced by Senesi Barrie in
affected area
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Some Key lessons in the field
Addax came here
telling us they would
remove us from our
poverty,” said Hassan
Sankor in Malinka
Village .
“Instead, they are
adding to it.”
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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
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