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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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•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

The Addax & ORYX GROUP Land deals Sierra Leone

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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 schools3. The project will ensure that no assets, crops or treesare destroyed prior to those affected being resettled andcompensated for any loss4. Farmer Development programmes with farmer field schools

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

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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; itis 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 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, 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-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

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