Sierra Leone Livelihood Zoning Report...Sierra Leone is located on the west coast of Africa and covers an area of about 72,000 square kilometers (28,000 square miles). It extends from

SIERRA LEONE Livelihood Zones and Descriptions October 2016

FEWS NET -Famine Early Warning Systems Network 1 | P a g e

Sierra Leone Livelihood Zoning Report

A SPECIAL REPORT BY THE FAMINE EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS NETWORK (FEWS NET) OCTOBER 2016



CONTENT

Introduction

Methodology

Overview of Rural Livelihoods in Sierra Leone

Timeline of Hazard Events in Sierra Leone

The National Livelihood Zone Map of Sierra Leone

The National Seasonal Calendar of Sierra Leone

Livelihood Zones Descriptions and Calendars of Sierra Leone

Livelihood Zone 1 – Tonkolili Food Crops and Gold

Livelihood Zone 2 – Bombali Food Crops, Peppers, Tobacco and Livestock

Livelihood Zone 3 – Western Rice, Root Crops, Cereals and Trade Belt

Livelihood Zone 4 – Coastal Food Crops and Fishing

Livelihood Zone 5 – Kailahun-Kenema-Pujehun Cash Crops, Food Crops and Trade

Livelihood Zone 6 – Kono-Kenema-Bo Rice, Tree Crops and Timbers

Livelihood Zone 7 – Koinadugu Food Crops, Livestock and Trade

Livelihood Zone 8 – Follosoba Dembellia and Wara Wara Yagala Vegetables

Livelihood Zone 9 – Freetown Peri-Urban

Livelihood Zone 10 – Rice Bowl Areas

Annex I: List of Chiefdoms and Population by Livelihood Zone

Annex II: Workshop Participants



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was done by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a USAID activity, in

collaboration with partners from the Sierra Leone Government, United Nations Agencies and non-

governmental organizations (NGOs). The Sierra Leone Government was represented by the Ministry of

Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and Statistics

Sierra Leone. The United Nations was represented by the Food and Agricultural Organization and World

Food Program. Non-governmental organizations were represented by Save the Children, World Vision and

ACF.

Our particular thanks go to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS) for attending

the official opening of the workshop and allowing the participation of District Agriculture Officers and

Senior Staff from Freetown.

Our special thanks go to workshop participants who contributed their valuable time, in-depth knowledge

of local livelihoods patterns and for engaging in meaningful discussions and intensive group work.

These discussions led to the updating of the 2010 Sierra Leone Livelihood zone map which will serve as a

knowledge base for FEWS NET activities in the country. They can also be used by the government and

other partners. The map, descriptions and calendars are produced primarily as a knowledge base for FEWS

NET’s activities in the country to derive early warning indicators for food security analysis. They can also

be used for various purposes by FEWS NET, the Government and other partners1.

This report was prepared by Amadou Diop, FEWS NET West Africa Regional Food Security Specialist (RFSS)-

Livelihoods, with support from Alusine Kamara, FEWS NET Sierra Leone National Technical Manager

(NTM), and under the technical oversight of Stephen Browne, FEWS NET Livelihoods Coordinator. The

authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States

Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

1 For more guidance on the applications of the livelihood zone map and profiles visit FEWS NET’s website (especially the Guidance Application of Livelihood Zone Maps and Profiles).

http://www.fews.net/sites/default/files/documents/reports/Guidance_Application_of_Livelihood_Zone_Maps_and_Profiles_en.pdf



ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ACF

Action Contre la Faim

CILSS

Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel

DAO District Agriculture Officers

EVD Ebola Virus Disease

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FEWS NET Famine Early Warning Systems Network

HEA

Household Economy Analysis

LH Livelihood Zone

MAFFS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security

MFMR

Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources

SSL Statistics Sierra Leone

WFP United Nations World Food Program

USAID United States Agency for International Development



INTRODUCTION

A livelihood zone is a ‘geographical area where people generally have the same options for obtaining food

and income and engaging in trade to meet their life and livelihood needs’. The process of livelihood zoning

involves the boundary delimitation of a region or country into different zones which share common

livelihood characteristics. The map and description which identify relevant variables by geographical

location are used as a starting point for early waring analysis. The livelihood zoning is the first step of the

Household Economy Analysis (HEA) framework which is the methodology that FEWS NET uses as the

foundation for its livelihoods activities. To inform its integrated food security analysis, FEWS NET

continuously expands and updates its livelihoods knowledge base.

In 2010, FEWS NET and partners from the Government Ministries, CILSS and WFP undertook the update of the first mapping of food economy zones completed in Sierra Leone in 2001 by WFP. The 2010 update identified ten livelihood zones. Six years have passed since then and rural livelihoods in Sierra Leone may have changed due to several factors such as the changes on international market commodity prices (iron ore, cocoa and coffee) and the impacts of Ebola on crop production, markets functioning, food prices and casual labor work.

In October 2016, FEWS NET and partners updated the 2010 livelihood zoning in order to have a better

understanding of current rural livelihoods.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology used to update this livelihood zoning consisted of two main steps:

1. Before the livelihood zoning update exercise took place, a literature review was undertaken to gather

secondary information, with a focus on essential thematic maps and data. Participants were asked to

come with any relevant livelihoods information they might have, particularly those from the district

level including district agriculture officers, extension officers and monitoring and evaluation officers.

2. A livelihood zoning update workshop was held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from October 24th to

October 26th in which key partners from Government ministries, departments and agencies, UN

agencies and international NGOs participated (for more details, see Annex II).

The workshop itself was made up of the four main sub-steps:

A. A presentation on FEWS NET with a focus on its livelihoods-based analytical approach,

followed by a presentation introducing the Household Economy Analysis (HEA) approach and

the livelihood zoning. HEA is the methodology that FEWS NET uses as the foundation for its

livelihoods activities. The key elements of a livelihood zone and its process were presented

and discussed. Livelihood zoning products are primarily designed to serve as a framework for

deriving early warning indicators.

B. The participants were then invited to review the 2010 livelihood map based primarily on their

knowledge of local livelihoods and relevant secondary information when available.

Participants went through the process in plenary and reviewed the livelihood zones one by



one to capture significant changes, if any, on livelihood patterns. In particular, participants

were also asked where necessary to (i) split large livelihood zones if they find them no longer

homogenous in terms of livelihoods or to (ii) merge different livelihood zones which might

now have similar livelihood patterns. The list of chiefdoms included in each livelihood zone

was accordingly reviewed and finalized in plenary.

C. In a next step, participants updated the livelihood zones descriptions by filling in a new

livelihood zone description form while considering the description of the 2010 zoning when

relevant. The livelihood zones description provides essential information on: (i) the

geography, (ii) the main livelihood patterns, (iii) the market flows and access, (iv) the seasonal

migration and overwhelmingly (v) the productive assets, sources of income and common

coping strategies disaggregated between poorer and wealthier households.

D. In a last step, participants developed, for each livelihood zone, a comprehensive seasonal

calendar of the zones and a primary food, income and expenditure calendar for poor

households in each of the zones. Seasonal calendars show the timing of (i) the different

seasons, (ii) the main livelihood activities, (iii) the secondary livelihood activities and (iv) the

main hazards. The primary food, income and expenditure calendar for poor households offer

a good picture of the seasonality of (i) the staple foods and sources, (ii) the main sources of

income and (iii) the peak period of the non-food main expenditures.



OVERVIEW OF RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leone is located on the west coast of Africa and covers an area of about 72,000 square kilometers

(28,000 square miles). It extends from latitude 7 degrees north to 10 degrees north, and from longitude

10 degrees west to 14 degrees west. The Republic of Guinea borders it on the north and northeast, and

the Republic of Liberia borders it on the east and southeast. On the west and southwest, the Atlantic

Ocean extends approximately 340 kilometers (211 miles). Administratively, Sierra Leone is divided into

four regions: Northern Province, Eastern Province, Southern Province and Western Province. Each region

is subdivided into districts, and each district is divided into chiefdoms. Overall, there are 14 districts and

149 chiefdoms.

Sierra Leone’s economy proved resilient in the face of two major exogenous shocks: the Ebola epidemic,

and the collapse of iron ore prices and associated loss of production in 2014-2015. Since the last quarter of

2015, economic growth has resumed, and it remains on an upward trend that is further supported by new

investments in mining, agriculture and fisheries. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is projected to

recover from -21.1% in 2015 to 4.3% in 2016. Rising from a base of 9.5% (year-on-year) in December 2015,

inflation has reached 10.9% in July 2016. The local currency (the Leone) depreciated by 20.4 percent (year-

on-year) in June 2016.

Sierra Leone has a tropical climate with two pronounced seasons: a rainy season from May to November,

and a dry season from December to April. Rainfall is highest in the coastal areas and decreases inland and

at the eastern border of the country. Climate in Sierra Leone is determined mainly by the seasonal

movements of two air masses: the north-easterly Continental Tropical Winds (commonly called North-

East Trade Winds) and the southwesterly Maritime Tropical Winds (commonly called South-West

Monsoon).

The present distribution of vegetation in Sierra Leone has been influenced not only by factors of climate

and soil but also by human activity. At present, the agroecological zones are the tropical closed forest and

the savannah woodlands in the uplands while swamp forest (woodlands) and seasonally flooded grasslands

constitute the agro-ecologies in the Lowlands. Forest ecosystems can be divided into closed forest and

transition or secondary forest. Most of the closed forest has been converted into secondary forest and

forest regrowth or ‘farm bush’ as a result of clearing for use in ‘slash-and-burn’ or shifting cultivation

farming and for firewood. The area is dominated by food and tree crop farming so ruminant production is

of minor importance. Savannah woodland is mostly found in the Northern Province towards Guinea,

especially in Koinadugu, Bombali and Kono districts. There is also a strip of savannah along the coast of

Bonthe and Pujehun districts. Swamps or marsh are mostly found along the coast in the Southern Province.

The vegetation is mainly mangroves, scattered patches of bushes and savannah woodland. They are divided

into: inland valley swamps, mangrove swamps, and bolilands. Several factors, including hydrological

conditions such as the frequency and duration of flooding, depth of the water level, soil type, and

physiography determine the vegetation and composition of plant communities.

The agricultural sector, comprising food crops, tree crops, fishery, livestock, and forestry is the backbone

of Sierra Leone’s economy. The vast majority of the population depends on the sector for its livelihood.

The major food crops are rice, cassava, maize, millet, sorghum, sweet potato, and groundnut. They are

produced by smallholders. Rice is the most important staple food crop and is grown in three different

ecologies: mangrove swamp rice, upland rice and lowland rice. The second staple food crop grown across

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upland_rice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_rice



the country is cassava. The main areas of production are in the south-west, central and far north. Other

major annual food crops include sorghum, maize, millet, sweet potato and groundnut. The main tree crop

is the oil palm, used for its perennial fruit that can be processed into palm oil and sap which can be

transformed into palm wine. The other main perennial crops are citrus, sugarcane, cocoa, coffee,

and coconut. Tubers and leaves are consumed by households and cassava products (gari, flour and chips),

are in high demand in urban areas.

Common livestock in Sierra Leone are cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry. The civil war significantly

depleted the level of livestock in the country, although numbers have recovered since the end of the war

in 2002. Most cattle are found in the north of the country and cattle rearing is dominated by the Fula ethnic

group who own the majority of the cattle and often manage cattle owned by other groups. Poultry rearing

consists mainly of chickens, with some guinea fowl and Muscovy ducks. Most of the animals are owned by

households in the Northern Province, especially in Koinadugu, Kambia, Bombali and Port Loko districts.

The marine fisheries of Sierra Leone are divided into two major sectors: (i) artisanal fishing operating in

estuaries and inshore waters and extending from the shoreline to a depth of 20–40 m, and (ii) industrial

fishing, operating in the open deeper waters. The western tip of Sherbro Island delimits two contrasting

coastal waters. The coastal sector north of Sherbro Island is more productive than the southern sector that

borders Liberia. Most of the artisanal fishing activities occur around the estuaries of Scarcies River, Sierra

Leone River and Sherbro River, and also around Yauoni Bay. There are a number of fish landing sites along

the Sierra Leone coast. Port Loko and the Western Area districts have more landing sites which are sampled

for artisanal fish catches. The coastal sector where the artisanal fishermen land their catch consists of the

following districts: Kambia, Port Loko, Western Area, Moyamba, Bonthe and Pujehun.

In 2014, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak resulted in a serious shock to the agriculture and food

sectors of Sierra Leone. Production of rice, the major food crop, declined significantly compared to 2013.

In particular, cereal production in the Kailahun District was substantially affected. The outbreak began

during the crop planting season and grew during the crop maintenance period, and then expanded rapidly

during the critical harvesting period for the staple rice, maize and cassava crops. Beyond its impact on the

agriculture and food sector, the EVD has seriously affected all other sectors of the economy. Mining,

manufacturing and service sectors have been the hardest hit. According to the Economic Intelligence Unit

(EIU), Sierra Leone’s real GDP grew by just 4.6 percent in 2014, compared to 20.9 percent in 2013, the year

before the EVD outbreak. The disruption of food chains due to the closing of markets, road blocks and

quarantines, restricted cross-border trading, and changes in traders’ behavior resulting from the fear of

Ebola, significantly reduced the income of EVD-affected communities, including producers, consumers and

traders. Specifically, income-generating activities typically led by women, such as small trading, were hit

hard. The ban on bush meat also deprived many rural households of an important source of food and

income. Since the Ebola outbreak ended, the economic situation has begun to improve.

Compared to the 2010 zoning, the number of zones didn’t change, therefore there is no significant change

in the livelihood map. However, it should be noted that in the district of Tonkolili, the iron ore industry has

become part of the local livelihoods and provides a significant source of income for many households. Two

livelihood zones have driven the attention of participants: the largest one, zone 3: ‘Western Rice, Root

Crops, Cereals and Trade Belt’ and the smallest one, zone 8: ‘Follosoba Dembellia and Wara Wara Yagala

Vegetables’. Zone 3, situated in the western part of the country, was wide ranging from Guinea in the North

to Liberia in the South. Some participants have good reason to wonder why we should consider this vast

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassava

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_crop

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorghum_bicolor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maize

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millet

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_potato

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_palm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_oil

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_wine

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarcane

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_bean

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poultry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Leone_Civil_War

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fula_people_of_Sierra_Leone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_fowl

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscovy_duck



territory as homogeneous in terms of livelihoods. The tendency to highlight the importance of livestock in

the southern part of this zone was deemed not necessary when compared to the importance of livestock

for the northern part of the country. Therefore, particular attention should be given to livestock when

carrying out livelihood-based field assessments or analyses for this zone. Zone 8 was composed of only two

chiefdoms (Follosoba Dembellia and Wara Wara Yagala) of the district of Koinadugu. Participants

questioned whether this geographical area, with only 1% of the rural population, should be kept as a

distinct livelihood zone. However, this area is known for the unique and high production of exotic

vegetables such carrots, cabbage, etc. The same types of vegetables are produced in the peri-urban area

of the capital city, Freetown, but to a lesser extent. In the neighboring chiefdoms, vegetables are also

produced but not the exotic ones for which zone 8 is known for.

The preponderance of some livelihood activities for the same livelihood zones were highlighted

particularly in Koinadugu where food cropping seems to be more typical and significant than livestock

rearing in terms of the number of households engaged in these activities. That’s the main reason why the

name is revised to reflect this relative importance of food crops.



TIMELINE OF HAZARD EVENTS IN SIERRA LEONE

Year Main Hazard Events (Negative or Positive)

2016 - Nationwide wild bush fire between December 2015 to March 2016 - Nationwide pest outbreak on cassava

- Depreciation of the local currency (SLL) compared to USD since January 2016

2015 - Floods in Bo, Bonthe and Pujehun districts

2014 - Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Outbreak with negative impacts on crop production and markets functioning.

2013 - Significant increase in the annual economic growth (20.1%) with overall positive impacts on livelihoods and economic access to food

2012 - No major hazard event occurred during this year.



THE NATIONAL LIVELIHOOD ZONE MAP OF SIERRA LEONE

THE NATIONAL SEASONAL CALENDAR OF SIERRA LEONE

Seasons

Rainy season r r r r r r r r r r r r r r

Dry season d d d d d d d d d d

Lean season l l l l l l

Main economic activities

Rice Upland p p p p p p p p s s s s w w w w w w h h h h

Rice Lowland h h p p p p p s s h h p p s s h h

Cassava s s s s w w w w w w w w w w w w h h h h p p p p

Maize w h h h p p p p s s s s w w w w h h h p p s s w

Sorgum / Millet p p p p p p p p s s s s w w w w w h h h h

Sweet Potato p p p p s s s s w w w w h h h h

Pepper p p p s s s s w w h h h h h h h h h

Groundnut p p p p s s s s w w w w h h

Cocoa p p p p p s s s h h h h

Coffee h h p p p s s s w w w w h h h h

Oil Palm p p p p p p p s s s s s s s h h h h h h h h

Secondary activities

Livestock peak milk production m m m m m

Livestock peak births b b b b b b

Fishing 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Gold mining 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Peak expenditure

Staple foods mp mp mp mp mp mp

Education 1 1 1 1

Traditional Ceremonials 3 3 3 3 3 3

Hazards

Wild Bush Fire 1 1 1 1 1 1

Pest infestation 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Flooding 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Legend p p Land preparation Sowing/plantingw w Weeding h h Harvests

DecJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov



ZONE 1: Tonkolili Food Crops, Gold and Iron Ore

Main livelihood activities The zone located in Tonkolili district is a mixture of hills and plains, with moderately fertile soils and average annual precipitation above 2000mm. Household rely primarily on rain fed agriculture (rice, cassava, sweet potato, groundnut, maize, pigeon pea, yam) and in a lesser extent on irrigated cultivation of inland valley swamp (IVS) rice and vegetables. Widespread surface gold deposits are a bigger feature here than in other areas of the country. Consequently, small-scale gold-mining is very common. For several years now, an iron ore company (Shandong Iron and Steel Group) has a mining site within this zone that provides income to households through hired labor. Some households may also own small amounts of livestock dominated by poultry and small ruminants.

Main markets for households in this zone include

Magburaka, Mile91, Yele, Matotika, Makali and

Masengbe. The road network is thin and in poor

condition, and distances to major market centers are

large.

Among the hazards to production, one main problem

is shifts in rainfall timing due to climate change, which

can result in land being unprepared at the beginning of

the season. There is some investment in fencing

against rodents and other animals. Wild bush fire is

reported to occur every year during the dry season

between December and March. Another significant

hazard in this zone is water logging during the peak of

the rainy season between June and September.

The most common coping strategies used by poor households in a bad year include selling more poultry and small ruminants, looking for more hired labor and taking loans from traders with high interest rates.

Rain fed agriculture (Rice, Cassava, Oil Palm, Sweet Potato, Groundnut, Maize, Yam) Irrigated Agriculture (IVS Rice and Vegetables)

Staple foods- poor households

Uplands Rice Lowlands Rice (Boli) Lowlands Rice (IVS) Cassava

Main income sources

Poor households Better-Off households

Sale of crops Petty trading Sale of back yard poultry Sale of goat Farm labor Gold Mining Iron Ore labor

Bulk sale of crop Processing of crops Sale of small ruminants Sale of cattle Sale of gold

Main productive assets


Land: 0.5-1ha Small farm tools Back yard poultry Small ruminants

Land: 4-5ha Agricultural machinery Large poultry Small ruminants Cattle

Main markets for the zone

Magburaka, Yoni, Mile91, Yele, Matotika, Makali, Masengbe

Main hazards and seasonality

Grasshopper November - March

Erratic rain pattern April – November

Wild Bush Fire December-March

Water Logging June-September

Coping Strategies - Poor households

Intensification of hired labor Taking loans from traders Sale of more poultry and small ruminants



ZONE 1: Seasonal Calendar

ZONE 1: Primary Food, Income and Expenditure calendar for poor households

Seasons

Rainy season r r r r r r r r r r r r r

Dry season d d d d d d d d d d d

Lean season l l l l l


upland rice p p p p p p s s s s s w w w w h h h

lowland rice(boli) p p p p s s s s s s w w w w h h h h

lowland rice(IVS) h h P P P P S S W W h h h h h

Cassava(upland) h h h h p p p p p s s s s s w w h h

Cassava (lowland) s s w w h h h h p p s s

oil Palm w w w w w w h h h h h h h h

Gold mining 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Iorn ore 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2


Back yard poultry rearing 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Small ruminants-peak birhs b b b b b b b b

Cattle-peak birth b b b b b b

Cattle- peak milk production m m m m m m

Hazards

Rodent 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Grasshopper 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Erratic rainfall partern (climate Change) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Wild Bush Fires 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Water Logging 2 2 2 2 2 2

Legend p p Land preparation Sowing/plantingw w Weeding h h Harvest

Sep Oct NovJun Jul Aug

s

DecJan Feb Mar Apr May

Staple foods & sources

Upland Rice op op op op mk mk mk mk cm cm cm cm cm cm mp mp mp mp op op op op op op

Lowland Rice (Boli) op op op op op op mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp c c c c op op op op op op

Lowland Rice(IVS) op op op op op op op op op op mp mp mp mp cm cm cm cm cm op op op op op

Cassava op op mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp op op op op op mp mp mp mp mp mp op op

Oil Palm mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp cm cm cm cm cm cm cm cm op op op op op op op op

Sources of income

Sale of crops (rice and cassava) 1 1 1 1 1 1

Farm Labour 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Petty trading 3 3 3 3

Sale of Livestock (poultry and small ruminants) 1 1 1 1 1 1

Gold mining 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Peak expenditure

Education 2 2 2 2

Health 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Agricultural inputs 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Legend op op Own production mp mp Purchase ik ik In kind payments c c Wild foods

Aug SepJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Oct Nov Dec



ZONE 2: Bombali Food Crops, Peppers, Tobacco and Livestock

Main livelihood activities The zone is exclusively located within Bombali district with more open bush and grass-lands and less forest than the southern part of the country. Average annual precipitation is estimated to be generally above 3000mm. Households rely primarily on rain fed agriculture (Rice, Cassava, Tobacco, Pepper, Sweet Potato) and to a lesser extent on irrigated cultivation of IVS rice and onion.

Main markets for households in this zone include

Makeni, Kamakwie, Batkanu, Makoth, Mayawlo. This

zone is bordered by Guinea, allowing for cross-border

trade of crops (Rice, Pepper, Palm Oil) via the

Tambaka market. The road network is relatively good

and markets are relatively accessible.

Livestock diseases during the dry season between

October to March and livestock damage to crops are

major hazards in this zone. Grasshoppers between

November and March and wild bush fire between

December and March are reported to occur every

year. Another significant hazard in this zone is water

logging during the peak of the rainy season between

June and September.

The most common coping strategies used by poor households in a bad year include selling more poultry and small ruminants, looking for more hired labor and taking loans from traders with high interest rate.

Rain fed agriculture (Rice, Cassava, Tobacco, Pepper, Sweet Potato) Irrigated Agriculture (IVS Rice and onion)


Uplands Rice Lowlands Rice (Boli) Lowlands Rice (IVS) Cassava Oil Palm

Main income sources


Sale of crops Petty trading Sale of back yard poultry Sale of small ruminants Farm labor

Bulk Sale of crop Processing of crops Sale of small ruminants Sale of cattle



Land: 0.5-1ha Small farm tools Back yard poultry Small ruminants

Land:4-5ha Agricultural machinery Large poultry Small ruminants Cattle


Makeni, Kamakwie, Batkanu, Makoth, Mayawlo, Bo, Kenema


Grasshopper November - March

Livestock diseases October - March

Livestock damage to crops October - April

Wild Bush Fire December-March

Water Logging June-September


Intensification of hired labor Taking loans from traders Sale of more poultry and small ruminants





Seasons

Rainy season r r r r r r r r r r r r r




upland rice p p p p p p p s s s s s w w w w w h h h h h

lowland rice(boli) p p p p s s s s s s w w w w h h h h h h

lowland rice(IVS) h h P P P P S S W W h h h h h

Cassava(upland) h h h h p p p p p s s s s s w w h h

Cassava (lowland) s s w w h h h h p p s s

oilpalm w w w w w w h h h h h h h h

Pepper p p p s s w w w h h h h h

Tobacco p p s s s s w w w w h h h h h h


Back yard poultry rearing 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

small ruminants (peak births) b b b b b b b b

Cattle (peak births) b b b b b b

cattle (peak milk production) m m m m m m

Hazards

rodent 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

grasshopper 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Erraticrain fall partern(climate Change) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Wild Bush Fires 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Livestock diseases 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Conflict :Livestock damage to crops 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2




Rice(upland) op op op op mk mk mk mk cm cm cm cm cm cm mp mp mp mp op op op op op op

Lowland Rice(boli) op op op op op op mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp c c c c op op op op op op

Lowland Rice(IVS) op op op op op op op op op op mp mp mp mp cm cm cm cm cm op op op op op

Cassava op op mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp op op op op op mp mp mp mp mp mp op op

Oilpalm mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp cm cm cm cm cm cm cm cm op op op op op op op op

Sources of income

Sale of crops (rice and cassava) 1 1 1 1 1 1

Farm iabour 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

petty trading 3 3 3 3

sale of Livestock 1 1 1 1 1 1

Peak expenditure

Education 2 2 2 2

Health 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Traditional Ceremonials 1 1 1 1 1 1

Legend p p Own production mp mp Purchase ik ik In kind payments c c Wild foods

Jul Aug SepJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Oct Nov Dec



ZONE 3: Western Rice, Root Crops, Cereals and Trade Belt

Main livelihood activities This is the most populated and one of the largest

livelihoods zones, lying mainly in the districts of

Bo, Kambia, Moyamba and Port Loko. The zone is

a transit area between the east and the coast.

Some inland fishing occurs as a result. On the

whole, the zone receives between 2,000 mm and

3,000 mm of annual rainfall, less than the coastal

belt, but with more in the southern part of the

zone than in the northern part. As a result of its

size, the zone has a variety of vegetation including

mangrove swamps, Boli lands, forest, farm bush

and savannah.

A mixture of sandy and clay loam soils result in low

to medium fertility. The main crop is upland rice,

with some ‘swamp’ and riverain rice added, which

becomes the most prevalent rice in the far north.

Cassava is grown everywhere to varying degrees,

but especially in the middle stretches, while sweet

potato is usually a minor crop.

As for non-rice cereals, sorghum and millet are

grown for domestic use, and maize is grown mainly

for sale. The maize is partly destined as processed

feed for poultry, which are by far the most

frequently kept livestock in this zone and beyond.

Cattle are kept beyond the Kambia part, but goats

are common and sheep less so. In general,

groundnuts are sold more frequently in this zone.

Some inland fishing benefits certain communities

near the coast. Some households get income from

industrial mining labor work (rutile, bauxite and

iron ore), but this is a secondary source.

The zone is connected to Guinea through Kambia,

from which some trading advantage is gained in

the rural areas.

Rain fed agriculture (Rice, Cassava, Sweet Potato, Maize, Millet and Groundnut) Irrigated Crops (Vegetables, Maize, Sweet Potato,) Trading (Food Supply e.g. Gari, Palm Oil, Coconut Oil)


Rice Cassava Sweet Potato

Main income sources


Crop sale (rice, cassava, sweet potato, maize, groundnuts) Sale of livestock (small ruminants) On-farm employment by wealthier people Migration for gold mining

Bulk sale of Crop (rice, cassava, sweet potato, maize, groundnuts) to agencies Sale of livestock (cattle and small ruminants) Trading of crops



Land cultivated 0.5 -1 acre Crude tools (cutlass, hoe and knife) Back yard poultry Small ruminants

Land cultivated 5- 12 acres Tractors and power tillers Rice threshers and haulers Cattle Small ruminants


Barmoi, Moyamba Junction, Furadugu, Yawgoi


Crop Pests November-April

Crops and Livestock Farmers conflict

Sept to March

Livestock diseases PPR: November – June Newcastle: February-May


Collection of wild food (bush yam), hunting, intensification of migration to gold mining, loans with high interest rates from traditional money lenders






Rice op op op op op op op op pm pm mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp pm op op op op

Cassava upland op op op op op op op op

Sweet potato op op op op op op op

Sources of income

Sale of crops 1 1 1 1

Sale of small ruminants and backyard poultry 3 3 3 3 3

Migration to gold mining areas 2 2 2 2 2 2

On-farm employment 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Peak expenditure

Schooling 1 1

Ceremonial festivals 3 3 3 3 3 3


Oct Nov DecJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Seasons





Rice upland p p s s w w h h

Rice lowland p p s s s w w h h

Cassava- Upland h h h h p p p p s s s s w w h h

Cassava Lowland s s w w h h p p s s

Sweet Potato (Type A) s s w w h h p p s s

Maize/Millet p p p s s w w h h h h

Groundnut 1st Crop p p s s s w w h h h

Groundnut 2nd Crop p p s s w h h


Rice Sale 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Cassava Upland Sale 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Cassava Lowland Sale 1 1 1 1 1 1

Sweet Potato Sale 1 1 1 1 1 1

Maize/Millet Sale 1 1 1 1 1

Hazards

Crop Pest (Grasshopper, Rodents, weevils) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Land Conflict between family land owners and land users 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Livestock Diseases 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Crop and livestock farmers conflict 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1





ZONE 4: Coastal Food Crops and Fishing

Main livelihood activities The coastal strip is the highest-rainfall area of the

country, with annual precipitation above 3000mm,

which decreases slightly in the part north of Freetown.

Soils are sandy and salinity reduces fertility; rice and

cassava are grown throughout, but rice dominates in

the north while cassava takes over towards the south.

In addition to the upland and inland/swamp rice,

mangrove rice is grown on the coast and along major

river inlets. The zone is not a big food producer for the

national market, but its medium density population is

reasonably food self-sufficient. Sweet potatoes are

produced only on a small-scale, while groundnuts are

more important.

Rice and cassava are the main food crops traded. The

final destination of the rice is Freetown or Guinea via

the Barmoi weekly market in Kambia district. Cassava

is first processed into gari before following the same

market route as rice.

Palm oil is a major sales product, particularly towards

the south where it offers more income than cassava or

rice. The seaside niche for coconuts results in some

coconut oil for sale. The most common livestock is

backyard poultry.

Fish sales are important, although there is a varying

dependence on this income from one community to

the next. The main fishing season is from October to

January, with smaller catches up to April. The main

fishing method is with dragnets, but this crucial

equipment is vulnerable to destruction by sharks and

also by industrial fishing operations, which also

deplete local fish stocks. Storm winds pose a danger to

fishing boats.

Rain fed Agriculture (Rice, Cassava, Sweet Potato, and Groundnut) Sea and River Fishing


Rice and cassava

Main income sources


Crop sale (rice, cassava, sweet potato, maize, groundnuts) On-farm employment Retail sale of fish Sand mining

Bulk sale of Crop (rice, cassava, sweet potato, maize, groundnuts) Trading of crops Whole sale of fish



Land cultivated 0.5 -1 acres Crude tools (Cutlass, Hoe and Knife) Fishing equipment (Hook and Line and small nets, canoe)

Land cultivated 5- 12 acres Tractors and Power Tillers Rice Threshers and haulers Fishing equipment (Large nets, out board engine boats)


Mambolo, Shange , Yawgoi , Dema and Lungi


Crop Pests November-April

Water borne diseases January- December

Storms during the rainy June-July and Sept -October


Collection of wild food (bush yam) Intensification of migration to gold mining areas Request loans with high interest rates from traditional money lenders



Zone 4: Seasonal Calendar


Seasons





RiceUpland p p p p s s w w w h h h

Rice Low Land p p p s s s w w h h h

Cassava UpLand s s s h h h p p p s s s s

Sweet Potato w w h h p p s s s

Maize p p p p s s s w w h h h

Groundnut p p p p s s s w w h h h

Fishing 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1


Palm Oil Processing and Marketing 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Coconut Oil Processing and Marketing 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Sand Mining 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Hazards

Crop Pests 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Land Tenure System 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1




Rice op op op op op op op op pm pm pm pm pm pm mp mp mp mp op op op op op op

Sources of income

crop sales 1 1 1 1 1 1

Sale of fish 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Sand Mining 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

On Farm employment 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Migration to Gold mining areas 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Peak expenditure

Education 1 1 1

Cultural celebrations 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1





ZONE 5: Kailahun-Kenema-Pujehun Cash Crops, Food Crops and Trade

Main livelihood activities As in most of the country, households in this zone

mostly cultivate rice and cassava for both household

food consumption and income.

What makes this zone unique in the country is the

concentration of palm, cocoa, coffee and kola nut

trees. These commodities are a primary source of

income for most households – either through sales or

through employment as farm labor. Mostly wealthier

households own plantations while middle and poorer

households are employed to maintain and harvest the

trees.

The ecology of this zone is more hilly terrain and

tropical forest cover than the rest of the interior of

the country. While timber is in abundance,

households rarely cut the trees for income because of

a ban on logging in most of the zone.

This zone borders both Guinea and Liberia. Kailahun

acts as a major frontier market for trading

commodities in large quantities. Palm oil, rice and

cassava are the most highly sought commodities by

Guinea and Liberia, and at times the demand can

draw out most of the supply in this region. Depending

on market prices, major cash crops are sometimes

sold to neighboring countries before entering the

global market.

Sheep and goats are kept by households, but make up

a minor source of food and income. Cattle from Fulani

herds are transported in from the north or across the

border to be held for a short while until being

slaughtered.

While diamond and gold mines are located in this

zone, they are currently less prevalent and more

regulated than in the past. This activity is largely

dominated by foreign workers, but can also attract

young men in the area who will work for roughly half

the rate offered for plantation labor. However,

mining works are a localized phenomenon.

Rain fed cash and food crops (Cocoa, Rice, Coffee, Oil

Palm, Cassava, Maize, Rubber)


Rice, Cassava and Maize

Main income sources


Sale of cash crops Sale of food crops Sale of chickens and small ruminants Agricultural labour Migration for off-farm income

Sale of cash crops Sale of food crops Sale of small and large ruminants Bike transportation Trading



0.5-1 ha land (food crop) 2-5 ha land (cash crops) Hoes Cutlasses Livestock (chicken, goat and sheep)

3 -5 ha land (food crop) 5-15 ha land (cash crops) Power tillers, Tractors, Rice haulers, Cassava processing machines Power saw Livestock (goat, sheep and cattle) Motorbike


Buedo, Dia, Blama, Largo and Pawama


Crops pests and diseases January-June

Wild Bush Fire January-April

Flooding July -October


Consumption of wild crops Use farm land as collateral Sending children on vacation to relative in urban areas






Rice op op op op op op pm pm pm pm mp mp mp c c c op op op op op op op op

Cassava op op op op op op pm pm pm pm pm pm mp mp mp mp op op op op op op op op

Maize op op op op op op op op

Sources of income

Sales of cash crops 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Sales of food crops 1 1 1 1 1 1

Agricaltural labour 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Migration for off farm income 1 1 1 1 1 1

Peak expenditure

Education 2 2

Rice for seed 2 2 2 2

Festivals 2



Seasons



Lean season food crops l l l l l l


Cocoa p p p p p p h h h h h h h h

Coffee h h p p p p p p h h

Oil Palm p h p h p h h h h h

Rubber h h h h p h p h p p h h h h

Upland Rice p p p p p p s s s s w w w h h h h h h

Low Land (IVS) p p p p p p s s s w w w h h h h

Cassava h h h h p p s s s s w w w w h h h h h h h h

Maize p p s s w w h h p s w 1 h h h


Timber logging 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Tree crops sale ( coffee, cocoa, rubber, oil palm) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Food crops sale ( rice, cassava, maize) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Hazards

Crop pests (grasshopper) and diseases (black pod) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Wild Bush Fire 3 3 3 3 3 3

Flooding 3 3 3 3 3 3





ZONE 6: Kono-Kenema-Bo Rice, Tree Crops and Timbers

Main livelihood activities

This zone shares major livelihood patterns with Zone

5 (Kailahun-Kenema-Pujehun Cash Crops, Food Crops

& Trade). Livelihoods are largely dependent on food

and cash crop cultivation, and a majority of

households add hired hands to their own family labor.

Rice and cassava are the major food crops grown,

consumed and traded. Cocoa, coffee, and oil palm

tree crops are sold and provide a majority of the

employment opportunities in the area. Both upland

and inland rice are cultivated.

Timber plays a greater role in this zone than in

surrounding zones. Households harvest trees for

charcoal production and to supply domestic

construction materials. While this income source is

minor in comparison to cash crops, in recent years it

has become more important.

Plantain and banana are also grown in this zone but

to a lesser extent than rice and cassava. Illicit cross-

border food crops trading with neighboring Guinea

and even with Liberia negatively impact food

availability and accessibility within this zone.

Diamond and gold mining occurs on a localized level,

as in Zone 5, but it has been a more important part of

households’ income than in Zone 5. Most people

involved in large scale mining come from other

countries in the region. Some mining attracts young

men away from agricultural work, but compensation

is lower. Mostly this employment is taken on as a

form of coping when times are hard.

Most households have some poultry, but only a

minority raise small ruminants, and cattle for

slaughter are largely supplied by Fulani herders.

Rain fed Rice and cash crops (Rice, Cocoa, Coffee, Oil

Palm, Timber)


Rice, Cassava and Maize

Main income sources


Sale of cash crops Sale of food crops Sale of chickens Migration for off-farm income Charcoal burning Fetching firewood

Sale of cash crops Sale of food crops Sale of small ruminants Bike transportation Trading



0.5-1 ha land (food crop) 2-5 ha land (cash crops) Hoes Cutlasses Livestock (chicken)

3 -5 ha land (food crop) 5-15 ha land (cash crops) Power tillers, Tractors, Rice haulers, Cassava processing machines Power saw Livestock (goat, sheep) Motorbike


Gendehma, Gbongela, Gondama, ashobe coner Deya


Crops pests and diseases January-June

Wild Bush Fire January-April

Flooding July -October


Intensification of charcoal burning Intensification of fetching of firewood Gathering and selling of wild fruits






Rice op op op op op op pm pm pm pm mp mp mp c c c op op op op op op op op

cassava op op op op op op pm pm pm pm pm pm mp mp mp mp op op op op op op op op

Maize op op op op op op op op

Sources of income

Sales of cash crops 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Sales of food crops 1 1 1 1 1 1

Agri labour 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

migration for off farm jobs 1 1 1 1 1 1

Peak expenditure

School fees 2 2

Rice for seed 2 2 2 2

Traditional occasions 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Legend p p Own production mp mp Purchase ik ik In kind payments c c Wild foods


Seasons



Lean season food crops l l l l l l


Upland rice p p p p p p p p w w w w h h h h h h

IVS rice p p p p p s s s s w w h h h h

Cocoa p p p p s s s h h h h w w

Coffee h h p p p s s s w w w w h h h h

Oil palm p p p p p p p s s s s s w w w w w h h

Cassava p p p p s s s s w w w w h h h

Cashew p h p h p p p p s s s s w w w w


Timber logging 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Tree Crops Sales 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Plantain and banana p p p s s s h h h h

Hazards

Crop pests (grasshopper)and diseases (black pod) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Cross border Trade (yenga - Kailahun , Sukudu in Kono 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Wild Fire 3 3 3 3 3 3






ZONE 7: Koinadugu Food Crops, Livestock and Trade

Main livelihood activities This zone occupies a great part of the higher lying

areas of the northeast, with altitudes around 500

meters rising to 700 meters. The vegetation is mainly

savannah, forest and grasslands. Population density is

low and rainfall ranging from 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm

is moderate by Sierra Leone standards. Therefore, the

crops grown on the relatively fertile soil are the basic

food crops, with inland rice rivaling upland rice in

acreage in a number of areas. There is also much

‘millet’ meaning funde (Digitaria), some sorghum,

and importantly pulses including pigeon peas,

cowpeas, broad-beans and black-eye peas. There are

also appreciable amounts of groundnuts, while

cassava and sweet potatoes are of lesser importance.

The zone is known for livestock, especially cattle, but

this observation needs to be qualified. The cattle are

not numerous in relation to the land area and are

overwhelmingly owned by the minority population of

ethnic Fulani who are specialist herders in countries

across West Africa. Apart from Fulani, some

households in other ethnic groups do own some

cattle but in general people tend to own goats and

sheep in very modest numbers although holdings are

on the rise. This is also the case for poultry which is

owned by larger numbers of people.

Other secondary income generating activities in this zone include timber logging, honey harvesting, charcoal production, wild foods collection and hunting. The road network is poor. The main food crops traded are rice in local markets and exported to Guinea, pulses mainly sold to agencies such as WFP for their nutrition interventions, and sorghum and millet for Freetown-based brewing companies through agri-business centers. Final destination of cattle is primarily Freetown but also Liberia via Kenema and Kailahun. Small ruminants are sold in local markets and neighboring districts.

Rain fed agriculture (Rice, Cassava, Groundnuts, Sweet Potato, Maize, Sorghum, Pulses and Millet) Livestock (Cattle, Goats, Sheep and Poultry) Trading


Rice Cassava Sweet Potato

Main income sources


Sale of small ruminants Sale of crop production Petty trading Casual work (in the farms and the markets)

Bulk sale of crops Sale of cattle and small ruminants Large scale trading



Land area: 0.5-5 acre Basic agricultural tools (cutlasses, hoes, shovels) and seeds Small scale farming (2-5 acre) Chicken, goat

Land area : 10-20 acre Tractor, basic agricultural tools and improved seeds Large scale Farming, (10-20 acre) Sheep, cattle, goat, chicken


Makeni, Koinadugu, Tonkolili, Bombali, Freetown, Guinea


Cattle crop damage June-August

Wild Bush Fire January-March

Pest infestation February-April


Engage in casual labor Taking loans from money lender and communities Charcoal burning and sale





Seasons



Lean season l l l l


rice (IVS) h h p p p p p s s h h p p s s h h

rice (upland) p p p p p p p p s s s s w w w w w h h h h

groundnut h h p p p p s s s w w h h h p s s s w w h h

cassava s s s s w w w w w w w w w w w w h h h h p p p p

sweet potato p p p p s s s s w w w w h h h h

maize , pulses w h h h p p p p s s s s w w w w h h h p p s s w

sorghum, millet p p p p p p p p s s s s w w w w w h h h h

Livestock milk production m m m m m

Livestock peak births b b b b b b


honey harvest and sale 2 2 2 2 2 2

timber logging and sale 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

charcoal production and sale 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

wild food collection 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Bush meat hunting and sale 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Hazards

cattle crop damage 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

wild fire 1 1 1 1 1 1

erratic rain fall 3 3 3 3

pest infestaion 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

price hikes 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3




Rice op op op op pm pm mk mk mk mk mp mp mp mp mk mk mk mk mp op op op op op

sweet potatomp op op op op op op pm pm

cassava pm pm mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp op op op op op op pm pm

Sources of income

petty trading 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

labour 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

sale of small ruminants 2 2 2 2 2

sale of crops (rice, cassava, sweet potato, sorhum, millet, maize) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Peak expenditure

Schooling 1 1 1 1

Traditional occasions 2 2 2 2 2 2 2





ZONE 8: Follosaba Dembelia and Wara Wara Yagala Vegetables

Main livelihood activities This is a very small but distinctive higher-elevation

area dominated by savannah in Wara Wara Yagala

chiefdom and grassland in Follosaba dembelia. This

geography is favorable to vegetable production,

especially the valuable chili peppers which find a

market as far as Freetown, whether in fresh or dried

form. Cabbage, carrots, onions, leafy vegetables,

lettuce, tomato and okra are the other main

vegetables which make this zone distinctive. These

vegetables can have three cropping seasons a year

depending on the resources and variety of the crops.

While vegetables are the trademark of this area, many other crops are also produced on its relatively fertile soils. The food crops include both upland and inland swamp rice, which reach self-sufficiency levels and some amount of marketing. Other crops include cassava, sweet potato, maize, and sorghum which are cultivated in some amount for home consumption, and pulses (pigeon pea, cowpea, broad beans, black-eye peas) for both consumption and sale. Cattle are mainly owned by specialist herders (Fulani) while small ruminants are owned by villagers in general. The poor roads and large distance from main market center are major disadvantages to this zone which relies so heavily on marketing produce. The main food crops traded in the zone are vegetables. They are traded primarily in local markets and neighboring districts but can also reach main markets in Freetown, especially the valuable chili peppers.

Rain fed vegetables (Pepper, Cabbage, Carrots) Rain fed crops (Rice, Cassava, Sweet Potato, Maize, Sorghum and Pulses)


Rice Cassava /Gari

Main income sources


Crop sales Petty trading (sweets, biscuits, cigarette, top up, local rum) Labor (work force in market, farms and agricultural goods)

Crop sales Large scale trading Sale of livestock



Small scale farming (0.5-2 acre) Basic agricultural tools (cutlasses, hoes, shovels) and seeds Chicken, goat

Large scale Farming, (3-6 acre) Tractor, basic agricultural tools and improved seeds Sheep, cattle, goat, chicken


Makeni, Bo, Tonkolili, Guinea


Cattle crop damage June-August

Wild Bush Fire January-March

Pest infestation February-April


Engage in casual labor Taking loans from money lender and communities Charcoal burning and sale





Seasons



Lean season l l l l


pepper p p p s s s s w w h h h h h h h h h

cabbage / carrot p p p s s s s w w w w w w w h h h h h h h

rice (IVS) h h p p p p p s s h h p p s s h h

rice (upland) p p p p p p p p s s s s w w w w w h h h h

cassava s s s s w w w w w w w w w w w w h h h h p p p p

sweet potato p p p p s s s s w w w w h h h h

maize and pulse w h h h p p p p s s s s w w w w h h h p p s s w

sorghum and millet p p p p p p p p s s s s w w w w w h h h h

livestock peak milk production m m m m m

livestock peak births b b b b b b


honey harvesting 3 3 3 3 3 3

wild food collection 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

hunting 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Hazards

cattle crop damage 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

wild fire 1 1 1 1 1 1

erratic rain fall 3 3 3 3

pest infestaion 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

price hikes 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3


Sep Oct Nov

s

DecJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug


Rice op op op op pm pm mk mk mk mk mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp op op op op op op

cassava / gari pm pm mp mp mp mp mp mp op op op op op op pm pm

Sources of income

petty trading 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

farm and market labour 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

gold mining 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

crop sales ( pepper, cabbage, carrots, etc) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

livestock sale 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Peak expenditure

schooling 1 1 1 1

traditional occasions/festivals 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3





ZONE 9: Freetown Peri Urban

Main livelihood activities This rural zone is composed of Koya, Mountain, Waterloo and York wards in the Western Area Rural district. The dense population responds to the high demand for both commodities and casual labor. The zone contains a long shoreline as well as an

extensive hinterland marked by the high Peninsula

Mountain ridge, which has the effect of concentrating

the population on the lower hills and near the shore.

Agricultural land is at a premium, but the value of the

limited family plots is greatly enhanced by the

production of vegetables and fruits for the urban

market, which is helped by very high rainfall. Poultry,

small ruminants and pigs are kept in small numbers,

but again their value is enhanced by the prices

supported by the urban demand.

Around half of households’ food comes from the

market rather than their fields, and the cash for this

and other costs of life comes not only from production

as above and the sale of fish, but more so from urban-

linked activities: petty trade, unskilled, skilled (local

soap making, tailoring, hairdressing, etc.) and salaried

work, some remittances, and begging by the poorest.

Some households generate income from sand, stone

and granite mining for the construction industry.

Tourism is also an activity on which some people rely.

In fact, a substantial minority of residents are not

involved in agriculture – truly a ‘peri-urban’ picture,

which is further reinforced by the incidence of theft of

vegetables and livestock.

Urban activities (Trading, Salaried Work, Unskilled and Skilled Work, Stone and Sand mining) Rural activities (Rain fed agriculture and Fishing)


Rice Cassava / Gari

Main income sources


Artisanal fishing, petty

trading, unskilled labor,

small backyard farming,

wood cutting, stone and

sand mining

Salaried work, trading, remittances, transport owners, tourism, handicraft



Essential farming tools,

small farming land,

essential fishing tools

(canoe, fishing nets, etc.)

Car, motorbike, land,

stores and shops


Waterloo, Tombo, Godrich


Flooding (every year) July/September

Outbreak of disease such cholera (every 3 years)

July/August

Price hikes During the whole year


Loans from money lenders (very high interest rate),

intensification of unskilled labor, reduce the

expenses for children education and for health,

extreme behaviors (begging, theft, prostitution)





Seasons

Rainy season r r r r r r r r r r r

Dry season d d d d d d d d d d d d d

Lean season l l l l


Trading 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Salaried Work, Skilled and Unskilled labour 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3


Vegetables lowland h w h w h w h w h w h p p s s w w w h

Fishing 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Remittances 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Stone and sand mining 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Hazards

Price hykes 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Flooding 2 2 2 2 2

Outbreak of diseases (e.g. cholera) 3 3 3 3 3 3


Jun Jul Aug

s

DecJan Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov


R ice mpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmp

Cas s ava/Gari mpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmp

Sources of income

P etty trading (including vegetable s elling) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

uns killed work (including s tone and s and mining) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Gifts from relatives 2 2

F is hing 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Peak expenditure

S chooling 1 1 1 1 1 1

Medica l 2 2 2 2

Hous e rent 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Trans portation 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Legend p p Own production mpmpP urchas e ik ik In kind payments c c Wild foods

J ul Aug SepJ an Feb Mar Apr May J un Oct Nov Dec



ZONE 10: Rice Bowl Areas

Main livelihood activities This zone cuts across parts of Port Loko, Bombali,

Bonthe and Pujehun districts and forms a substantial

territory. They are distinguished by a heavy

concentration of inland rice production, although

substantial upland rice and cassava are also grown.

There is some irrigation of the paddy rice, but mostly

the water collects naturally in swamp areas fed by

both rainfall and streams and rivers. Soils are

relatively fertile.

The main rice production is labor intensive, and apart

from family labor there is a heavy focus on hired

workers, including many people coming from other

areas for the jobs. There are wealthy farmers

producing large surpluses for the market, but also

many much poorer farmers who actually need to

purchase a substantial part of their staple rice from

the market in order to make it through the year. Apart

from rice, cassava, groundnuts and sweet potato, and

paid work, petty trade tends to be an important

income source. In the two coastal areas, the sale of

fish is a lesser source of cash, as is firewood from the

mangrove forests and bush meat.

Rice is what unites the areas of this composite

livelihood zone, but the areas are not entirely similar.

Households in the Port Loko area, for instance, tend

to own more small ruminants and poultry than

elsewhere (although numbers are still quite modest),

perhaps spurred by the prices paid in the nearby city

market. In the Bonthe/Pujehun section there is a

relatively heavy emphasis on cassava as a second

staple. And as the interior section, the Bombali part

lacks the coastal fishing and mangrove resources.

Overall access to market for commodities other than

rice and cassava is poor due to poor road network and

poor market infrastructure.

Rain fed agriculture (Rice, Cassava, Groundnuts, Sweet Potato) Agricultural labor Rice Trading


Rice Cassava

Main income sources


Sale of Rice

Agricultural labor

Fishing

Sale of Rice Rice Trading and Processing Remittances from relatives in foreign countries



Essential farming tools

(machete, hoe), essential

fishing tools, from 2 to 3

goats/sheep and from 3 to

5 chickens

Threshers, tractors,

stores, drying floors,

rice mills. From 5 to 10

small ruminants

(goats/sheep) and

some chickens.


Mambolo, Kassire and Mabang


Flooding August/September

Wild Bush Fire March/April

Rodents December/March


Intensification of migration

Sale of bush meat

Taking loans or aid from relatives and well-wishers





Seasons

Rainy season r r r r r r r r r r r

Dry season d d d d d d d d d d d d d



Rice lowland h h p p p p p s s s w w w w h h h h

Rice upland p p p p p p s s s s w w w w h h h h


Fishing 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Petty trading 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Groundnut upland p p p p s s s s w w w w h h

Cassava upland p p p p s s s s w w w w h h h h

Cassava lowland p p p p s s s s h h h

Hazards


Bush Fire 2 2 2 2 2 2

Rodents 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1


Jun Jul Aug

s

DecJan Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov


Rice op op op op op op op op pm pm mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp pm pm op op op op

Cassava op op op op op op op op op op

Sources of income

Farm labour 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Selling rice 3 3 3 3 3 3

collection and sale of wild food 2 2 2 2 2 2

Fish Petty Trading 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Peak expenditure

Schooling 1 1 1 1 1 1

Buying farming inputs 2 2 2 2





Annex I: List of Chiefdoms and Population by Livelihood Zone

ZONE 1: Tonkolili Food Crops, Gold and Iron Ore

PROVINCE DISTRICT CHIEFDOM CHIEFDOM POPULATION (2015 Census)

Northern Koinadugu Diang 28,739

Northern Tonkolili Kholifa Rowala 66,197

Northern Tonkolili Tane 33,276

Northern Tonkolili Kunike Barina 25,145

Northern Tonkolili Kunike Sande 75,144

Northern Tonkolili Sambaya 32,163

Northern Tonkolili Kalansogoia 35,380

Northern Tonkolili Kafe Simira 36,444

332,488

ZONE 2: Bombali Food Crops, Peppers, Tobacco and Livestock


Northern Bombali Paki Masabong 19,868

Northern Bombali Sanda Tendaran 26,183

Northern Bombali Magbaimba Ndorwahun 12,672

Northern Bombali Gbanti Kamaranka 28,323

Northern Bombali Sanda Loko 45,079

Northern Bombali Sella Limba 58,431

Northern Bombali Tambakha 38,501

Northern Bombali Gbendembu Ngowahun 38,746

Northern Bombali Safroko Limba 31,126

Northern Bombali Biriwa 47,274

Northern Bombali Bombali Sebora 36,407

382,610



ZONE 3: Western Rice, Root Crops, Cereals and Trade Belt


Northern Kambia Gbinle Dixing 22,633

Northern Kambia Magbema 91,806

Northern Kambia Masungbala 31,754

Northern Kambia Tonko Limba 58,364

Northern Kambia Bramaia 36,667

Northern Port loko Bureh Kasseh Makonteh 40,089

Northern Port loko Dibia 15,477

Northern Port loko Sanda Magbolonthor 23,597

Northern Port loko Masimera 40,861

Northern Port loko Tinkatupa Maka Saffoko 30,526

Northern Port loko Buya Romende 34,235

Northern Port loko Marampa 59,347

Northern Port loko Maforki 86,810

Northern Tonkolili Yoni 111,932

Northern Tonkolili Gbonkolenken 67,659

Southern Bo Bagbo 25,912

Southern Bo Bumpe Ngao 44,128

Southern Bo Gbo 5,410

Southern Bo Jaiama Bongor 31,260

Southern Bo Kakua 51,015

Southern Bo Lugbu 25,347

Southern Bo Tikonko 52,915

Southern Bo Wonde 15,265

Southern Moyamba Kongbora 10,307

Southern Moyamba Kaiyamba 25,770

Southern Moyamba Fakunya 27,605

Southern Moyamba Kori 30,510

Southern Moyamba Dasse 13,265

Southern Moyamba Kamajei 10,126

Southern Moyamba Kowa 9,732

Southern Moyamba Lower Banta (Gbangbatoke) 37,194

Southern Moyamba Upper Banta (Mokele) 10,457

1,177,975



ZONE 4: Coastal Food Crops and Fishing


Northern Port Loko Kaffu Bullom 119,902

Northern Port Loko Koya 85,206

Southern Bonthe Kpanda Kemo 10,442

Southern Bonthe Yawbeko 7,518

Southern Bonthe Jong 33,524

Southern Bonthe Bendu-Cha 7,009

Southern Bonthe Nongoba Bullom 19,747

Southern Bonthe Sittia 21,815

Southern Bonthe Imperri 33,772

Southern Bonthe Dema 7,512

Southern Bonthe Sogbeni 10,949

Southern Pujehun Yakemu Kpukumu 13,736

Southern Pujehun Mono Sakrim 12,883

Southern Moyamba Bumpeh 37,469

Southern Moyamba Ribbi 33,082

Southern Moyamba Bagruwa 27,499

Southern Moyamba Timdale 10,240

Southern Moyamba Kagboro 34,808

527,113



ZONE 5: Kailahun-Kenema-Pujehun Cash Crops, Food Crops and Trade


Eastern Kailahun Njaluahun 61,128

Eastern Kailahun Jawie 50,779

Eastern Kailahun Mandu 30,829

Eastern Kailahun Upper Bambara 26,712

Eastern Kailahun Malema 37,042

Eastern Kailahun Dea 13,257

Eastern Kailahun Luawa 81,610

Eastern Kailahun Kissi Teng 45,109

Eastern Kailahun Kissi Kama 20,200

Eastern Kailahun Kissi Tongi 50,659

Eastern Kailahun Penguia 26,291

Eastern Kailahun Kpeje West 27,553

Eastern Kailahun Kpeje Bongre 25,011

Eastern Kailahun Yawei 29,192

Eastern Kenema Malegohun 20,438

Eastern Kenema Small Bo 29,502

Eastern Kenema Niawa 7,772

Eastern Kenema Langrama 3,549

Eastern Kenema Nongowa 45,502

Eastern Kenema Dama 30,750

Eastern Kenema Koya 13,478

Eastern Kenema Gaura 18,216

Eastern Kenema Tunkia 36,074

Eastern Kenema Nomo 5,436

Eastern Kono Sandor 89,883

Eastern Kono Gbane 24,355

Eastern Kono Gbane Kandor 11,907

Eastern Kono Soa 89,883

Eastern Kono Mafindor 13,680

Southern Pujehun Barri 36,865

Southern Pujehun Pejeh (Futapeje) 13,611

Southern Pujehun Sowa 17,111

Southern Pujehun Makpele 31,015

Southern Pujehun Galliness Perri 54,524

Southern Pujehun Malen 49,215

Southern Pujehun Soro Gbema 42,024

Southern Pujehun Kpaka 16,376

Southern Pujehun Panga krim 8,915

Southern Pujehun Panga Kabonde 49,302

1,284,755



ZONE 6: Kono-Kenema-Bo Rice, Tree Crops and Timbers


Eastern Kenema Gorama Mende 43,346

Eastern Kenema Wandor 20,334

Eastern Kenema Simbaru 17,431

Eastern Kenema Kandu Leppiama 18,143

Eastern Kenema Dodo 23,221

Eastern Kenema Lower Bambara 76,327

Eastern Kono Gorama Kono 18,303

Eastern Kono Nimikoro 61,179

Eastern Kono Nimiyama 28,139

Eastern Kono Kamara 19,355

Eastern Kono Gbense 15,771

Eastern Kono Tankoro 8,518

Eastern Kono Fiama 15,413

Southern Bo Badjia 8,131

Southern Bo Bagbwe (Bagbe) 20,951

Southern Bo Boama 45,784

Southern Bo Komboya 15,608

Southern Bo Niawa Lenga 13,916

Southern Bo Selenga 9,153

Southern Bo Valunia 35,501

514,524

ZONE 7: Koinadugu Food crops, Livestock and Trade


Northern Koinadugu Kasunko 24,682

Northern Koinadugu Nieni 77,960

Northern Koinadugu Wara Wara Bafodia 34,521

Northern Koinadugu Sengbe 38,050

Northern Koinadugu Dembelia-Sinkunia 21,227

Northern Koinadugu Mongo 47,734

Northern Koinadugu Sulima 35,571

Northern Koinadugu Neya 43,228

Northern Kono Lei 26,941

Northern Kono Toli 5,000

354,914



ZONE 8: Follosoba Dembellia and Wara Wara Yagala Vegetables


Northern Koinadugu Folosaba Dembelia 20,544

Northern Koinadugu Wara Wara Yagala 35,841

56,385

ZONE 9: Freetown Peri-Urban

PROVINCE DISTRICT WARDS WARD POPULATION (2015 Census)

Western Western Area Rural Koya Rural 70,369

Western Western Area Rural Mountain Rural 30,286

Western Western Area Rural Waterloo Rural 213,431

Western Western Area Rural York Rural 128,865

442,951

ZONE 10: Rice Bowl Areas


Northern Bombali Makari Gbanti 81,344

Northern Bombali Libeisaygahun 16,170

Northern Kambia Mambolo 37,890

Northern Kambia Samu 64,572

Northern Port loko Lokomasama 78,013

Northern Tonkoli Kholifa Mabang 16,682

Northern Tonkoli Malal Mara 30,754

Southern Bonthe Kwamebai Krim 14,436

Southern Bonthe Bum 24,031

363,892



Annex II: Workshop Participants

Name Organization Designation Email

Ismail F Tarawalie MAFFS - Pujehun DAO [email protected]

Andrew Gbondo Save the Children Program Officer [email protected]

Abdulai A Bangura FAO Project Assistant [email protected]

Alusine Kamara FEWS NET NTM [email protected]

Mohamed A Bah MAFFS - Kenema DAO [email protected]

Fannah Mansaray MAFFS - Bo M&E Officer [email protected]

Charles A Bangura MAFFS – Port Loko DAO [email protected]

David F Sellu-Sallu MAFFS - Kono DAO [email protected]

John M Koroma MAFFS - Koinadugu M&E Officer [email protected]

Saidu Bamayange MAFFS - Kailahun Livestock Officer [email protected]

Musa Kandeh MAFFS - Bonthe DAO [email protected]

Jinnah Bockarie MAFFS – Port Loko SAO [email protected]

Idriss Fofana MAFFS - Kambia Extension Officer

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

ACF FSL Head of Dept [email protected]

Aroun Rashid Kamara MAFFS – Bo DAO [email protected]

John A Lakkoh MAFFS - Tonkolili DAO [email protected]

Ria Lewis Save the Children FSL HEA Coordinator [email protected]

Amadu B J Sesay MAFFS - Bombali DAO [email protected]

Francis A Turay MAFFS - Moyamba DAO [email protected]

Umaru A Sankoh MAFFS - Kambia DAO [email protected]

Raymonda Johnson MAFFS - Freetown Head Crop Protection [email protected]

Mohamed A Sheriff MAFFS - Freetown Deputy Director [email protected]

Haja Lydia Sesay MAFFS - Freetown Assistant Director

Animal Production [email protected]

Jenneh James WFP Program Associate [email protected]

Momodu M Kamara Statistics Sierra Leone Sr Statistician

Foday M Daboh MFMR Fishery Officer [email protected]

Musa Gamanga World Vision Food Assistant

Manager [email protected]

Kelvin Wesen World Vision Project Manager [email protected]

Brima S F Kebbie MAFFS - Freetown Deputy Secretary [email protected]

Jeneba Alharzan MAFFS - Freetown Agribusiness

promotion Unit [email protected]

Amadou Diop FEWS NET RFSS-Livelihoods [email protected]

Tamba Karimu MAFFS - Pujehun M&E Officer [email protected]

Akiyem Scot-Boyle WFP Program Officer [email protected]

Musa Gondo FEWS NET OMA [email protected]

Israel Bangura FEWS NET Admin Assistant [email protected]

Gerald A Sama MAFFS-Kailahun DAO [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


































Documents

Sierra Leone Livelihood Zoning Report...Sierra Leone is located on the west coast of Africa and covers an area of about 72,000 square kilometers (28,000 square miles). It extends from