SIERRA LEONE maq 4ª.indd - agrilife - Europa
SIERRA LEONE maq 4ª.indd - agrilife - Europa
SIERRA LEONE maq 4ª.indd - agrilife - Europa
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4 EU Support Programmes for Rice and Tree Crop<br />
Production (STABEX)<br />
In 2005, the Government of Sierra Leone,<br />
in its effort to achieve its food security goals<br />
and accelerate economic recovery, requested<br />
use of the balance of the 8th EDF STABEX<br />
funds for the rehabilitation of tree crop<br />
plantations and rice production (see details<br />
on STABEX and other Funds in Sierra Leone in<br />
Box 2). Consequently, a Framework of Mutual<br />
Obligations (FMO) was signed between<br />
Box 2: The Use of STABEX Transfer Project<br />
the European Commission (EC) and the<br />
Government of Sierra Leone in 2006 (National<br />
Authorising Office, 2007). Under USTP,<br />
project value reached 4,378,000 EUR and<br />
the execution period elapsed from October<br />
2007 to December 2009. In this section, the<br />
objectives and priority issues of initiatives<br />
developed with STABEX funds are described<br />
along with the associated initial achievements.<br />
Rice is a dietary staple for most Sierra Leoneans but rice cultivation in Sierra Leone is dominated by<br />
small scale subsistence farms that cannot produce enough to feed everybody and as a result the<br />
country depends largely on imported rice to feed its populace.<br />
With funds from the European Union and ActionAid International Sierra Leone, the Use of STABEX<br />
Transfer Project, will address the constraints faced by farmers in accessing farm tools and processing<br />
equipment and techniques, high quality seeds, limited seed storage facilities, employment opportunities<br />
for women and youths and markets.<br />
The project will target 9500 farmers of which 4275 (45%) will be women farmers.<br />
This project is part of the European Union's agenda to contribute to and support government in<br />
achieving food security.<br />
It will be used to construct local markets, provide seed rice and farm tools, rice milling machines and<br />
rehabilitate roads leading to the production areas.<br />
The project will be implemented using participatory methods, through farmer's groups and government<br />
extension staff. This will ensure local ownership and sustainability.<br />
Some of the key activities will include, mobilising communities, strengthening farmer's groups, training<br />
extension staff attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, group members<br />
and farmers, procurement and distribution of inputs such as seeds, tools and procesing equipments,<br />
construction of cooperative seed stores, and building the capacity of new and existing networks and<br />
alliances of farmers cooperatives.<br />
Sources:<br />
ActionAid Sierra Leone - http://www.actionaid.org/sierraleone/index.aspx?PageID=3920<br />
Rural poverty reduction and food security: The case of smallholders in Sierra Leone<br />
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