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SIERRA LEONE maq 4ª.indd - agrilife - Europa

SIERRA LEONE maq 4ª.indd - agrilife - Europa

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Figure 12. Livestock (Ship-equivalent %) in selected countries of Western Africa<br />

Source: Own calculations from table 6.<br />

women during the lactating period and every<br />

second day as yields diminish. The milk is<br />

processed into butter and yoghurt which they<br />

sell in nearby markets or along the road sides.<br />

Women have the responsibility for looking after<br />

calves. Although its productivity is low, it is a<br />

hardy breed (i.e. trypano-tolerant) that is welladapted<br />

to the prevailing ecological and socioeconomic<br />

conditions (Jalloh, 2006).<br />

Poultry are the most widely owned form of<br />

livestock and also the most numerous. Poultry<br />

mostly comprise domestic fowl, although<br />

there are smaller numbers of Guinea fowl and<br />

Muscovy ducks. Pigs are also widely distributed<br />

with many found in urban areas. The country’s<br />

livestock population has been very severely<br />

depleted during the conflict and many years will<br />

be required to rebuild stock numbers to pre-war<br />

level. In the early 2000’s, livestock contributed<br />

4% of agricultural GDP (MAFF, 2001).<br />

According to Unruh and Turray (2006) the<br />

decimation of livestock population during the<br />

war is a particular food security concern in the<br />

country. “Livestock herds of reproductive utility<br />

require long periods to recover. Presently a single<br />

female cow in reproductive age can cost one<br />

million Leones ($350 - $400 USD). During the<br />

war the RUF shot a great deal of livestock, both<br />

for food and to decimate the countryside. In the<br />

north of the country the Fulani lost a great deal<br />

of livestock and moved their remaining herds<br />

across the border into Guinea. For the most part<br />

the Fulani herders have yet to return to be able<br />

to contribute to recovery of the national herd.<br />

Prior to the war ox traction was common in some<br />

areas, particularly in the north. Goat and poultry<br />

restocking programs are currently underway,<br />

and these can contribute to food security<br />

more quickly than cattle restocking programs;<br />

although cattle could also assist in related farming<br />

activities, primarily ploughing and transportation”<br />

(p 5, 2006).<br />

Fishing<br />

Along its coastline of 570 km and the<br />

continental shelf area of 25,600 km 2 , Sierra<br />

Leone is rich with marine resources. It is also<br />

well endowed with inland waters (rivers, lakes,<br />

and flood plains) which support a large number<br />

of aquatic organisms. Fisheries are dominated by<br />

artisanal marine capture systems, and by small<br />

Rural poverty reduction and food security: The case of smallholders in Sierra Leone<br />

39

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