Sierra Leone's Animal Genetic Resources
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country report (CR) on the state of SIERRA LEONE’S ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES A Contribution to The STATE OF THE World’s Animal Genetic Resource PROCESS FAO AND Livestock Production And Veterinary Division of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security in Collaboration With Animal Science Department Njala University EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Livestock are important material assets and social resources for many of the rural and peri-urban communities in Sierra Leone. Like other developing countries, Livestock play integral roles in their livelihood. The Veterinary/Livestock Services Division is one of the key sectors of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security. The Livestock Sub-Sector contributed 2.7 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The State of Sierra Leone’s Animal Genetic Resources, a contribution to the state of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources Process for Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations covers the result of the assessment in the four main areas: ¾ the Introductory part ¾ state of diversity ¾ state of capacity ¾ state of the art and identifies critical needs and priorities for action Sierra Leone is endowed with a rich and diverse Animal Genetic Resource. Animals for several decades if not centuries, have sustained many generations and will continue to do so even for more generations to come. In Sierra Leone, animals occupy a unique social and cultural niche in the lives of many rural poor farmers. In addition to providing a rich source of animal proteins, they are a pathway out of poverty and have proven indispensable in accomplishing many social and cultural rites and ceremonies. The above importance accrued to animals clearly underscores their emphatic role, and therefore deserve special attention in the current drive to achieve Food Security in 2007. The Animal Genetic Resource is a valuable bank for our lucrative animal wealth, which we inherited from our ancestors. It is therefore our collective responsibilities to conserve these valuable resources and pass it on, in the safest and sound possible ways, to the next generation. We are cognizance of the fact that over the years, scientific developments, climatic changes and human activities have adversely influenced our Animal Genetic Resource. Until urgent measures are put in place, valuable animal genetic materials will be lost forever or transformed to irreversible forms that may not serve our purpose. Initiatives towards conservation of Animal Genetic Resource had been minimal and the capacity to undertake effective Animal Genetic Resource is not adequate. However, it is the top priority of Government to steer this project. All stakeholders will be consulted and fully committed to participate in this national issue. CONCLUSION: It is interesting to know that the Livestock Industry in Sierra Leone was not doing well even before the war and the effect of the conflict brought the Industry to a collapse. Analysis of the Livestock Services Division within the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, expected to host the AnGR- Process was neglected. However, efforts are being made to resuscitate this very important Industry, which require good will, substantial investment and policy adjustments to help the Division grow, establish,. develop, ,promote use and conserve AnGR Programmes. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The preparation of the Country report on the state of sierra leone’s animal genetic resources, a contribution to the state of the World’s animal genetic resources (SoW- AnGR) could not have been successful without the full support and encouragement of many individuals and institutions, both locally and internationally. The Livestock Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security is grateful to all those who in diverse ways contributed to the successful completion of this research programme. The members of the National Consultative Committee and the National Data Collectors and contributors are commended for their active participation and technical support in the preparation of Country Report on SoW-AnGR. Special thanks go the National Consultative Committee members from the Animal Science Department, Njala University for their technical support without which the preparation of this report would have been very difficult if not impossible. I also commend the efforts, financial, moral, material, and technical support of the Director of the Livestock Services Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, Youyi Building, Freetown My special thanks go to the late ( May his soul rest in perfect peace) Dr. Alimamy M. Kargbo, the then Ag. Director –General, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Resources, 2001. Special thanks go to the SoW-AnGR Process National Coordinator for his quality leadership and the staff of the Secretariat for giving in extra time for the preparation of the Country Report. My best regards to the facilitators of the FAO-1 Training of Trainers Workshop ( Miss Beate Scherf-Animal Production Officer- AnGR, FAO Rome, Dr. Siboniso Moyo – Head of Station, Matopos Agricultural Research Station, FAO Zimbabwe, Dr. Jaron Juga- Director Cattle Breeding, Finish Animal Breeding Association Finland, Louise Setshwaelo – CTA RAF -97-032, FAO, South Africa, Mr. Anthony (Computer Expert) – FAO Holland) for National Coordinators, for the Countries of Anglophone Africa on the State of World’s Animal Genetics Resources held at ILRI - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 2001 for the knowledge acquired during the training. We recognize the much needed political support provided by the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Dr, Sahr Sama Mondeh and Hon. Deputy Ministers 1 & 2 - Francis K. Ngegbe and John K. Sesay. Amadu Tejan Jalloh (Dr.) National Coordinator and Technical Secretary for SoW-AnGR Process Sierra Leone. WEST AFRICA. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION a. Location and Size 1 b. Climate 1 c. Topography 1 d. Population distribution 2 e. Economic Conditions 2 1.1 FARMING SYSTEMS 3 a. Shifting cultivation 3 b. Fallow System 4 1.2 CROPS 4 1.2.1 CEREALS 4 a. Rice 4 i. Upland rice Production 4 ii. Lowland Rice Production 4 iii. Inland Valley Swamps 4 iv. Mangrove Swamps 5 v. Boli –lands 5 vi. Riverrine grassland 5 1.2.2 Maize, Sorghum and Millets 6 1.2.3 Roots and Tubers 6 a. Cassava 6 b. Sweet Potatoes 6 1.2.4 Groundnuts 7 1.2.5 Tree Crops 7 a. Oil Palm 7 b. Cocoa and Coffee 7 1.2.6 Other Crops 7 a. Coconuts 7 b. Fruits and Vegetables 8 1.3 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION 1.3.1 Introduction 8 a. Large Ruminants 8 i. Cattle 8 b. Small Ruminants 10 i. Goats 10 ii. Sheep 11 c. Pigs 12 d. Poultry 13 e. Other Livestock 14 1.4 Food Security 15 1.5 Conservation activities/Programmes 16 1.6. Problems in Conservation and utilization as per the current situation in Sierra leone 16 i. Policy, legislative and institutional measures 16 ii. Capacity building 17 iii. Public (communities)participation 17 iv. Research and Training 17 PART II 2.0 CHANGING DEMANDS ON NATIONAL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION 18 2.1 PRODUCTION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE NATIONAL POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMMS RELATED TO AnGR 18 a. Past Policies for AnGR 18 b. The disease situation 20 2.2 FUTURE DEMANDS AND TRENDS 21 2.3 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES IN THE CONSERVATION, USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF AnGR 22 2.4 FUTURE NATIONAL POLICY, STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR THE CONSERVATION, USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF AnGR 23 PART III 3.0 STATE OF NATIONAL CAPACITIES AND ASSESSING FUTURE CAPACITY BUILDING REQUIREMENTS 25 3.1 Structure and Staff of the Lives Sub-sector, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security 25 3.2 Institutional facilities 25 3.3 Infrastructural collaboration 27 3.4 Infrastructures 27 3.5 Information and Communication 28 3.6 Human Resources 28 3.7 Legislations 28 3.8 Research 28 PART IV. 4.0 NATIONAL PROIORITIES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF AnGR 29 4.1 Access to Genetic Resources 29 a. Plans 29 b. Strategies 29 4.2 Government Support Services 30 4.3 Possible strategies in the conservation and utilization of the AnGR 30 4.4 Capacity Building for Animal Genetic Resources in Sierra Leone 30 5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF FARM ANIMAL BIODIVERSITY (FAB) 31 ANNEX 1 32 ANNEX 2 33 ANNEX 3 34 APPENDIX 1 35 APPENDIX 2 35 APPENDIX 3 36 APPENDIX 4 36 APPENDIX 5 37 APPENDIX 6 37 APPENDIX 7 38 APPENDIX 8 39 Bibliography 40 LIST OF THE NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (NCC) ON THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES – SoW-AnGR PROCESS. 1. Mr. Francis A.R. Sankoh Director, Livestock and Veterinary Services Division, MAF/FS, Chairman. 2. Dr. Amadu T. Jalloh District Veterinary Officer, Koinadugu District. National Coordinator and Technical Secretary and Head Consultant on SoW-AnGR Process. 3. Mr. Sorie M. Kamara Principal Animal Production Officer, Livestock Division, MAF/FS -Assistant Technical Secretary. 4. Dr. Saidu Kanu Head, Department of Animal Science, Njala University College - Member. 5. Dr. Abdul R. Sesay Lecturer, Department of Animal Science, Njala University - Member. 6. Dr. Abdul G. Jalloh Principal Veterinary Officer Western Area, MAF/FS - Member. 7. Dr. Mohamed L. Barrie District Veterinary Officer Bombali District, MAF/FS - Member. 8. Mr. Mohamed B. Farah FAO – Representative Director / Adviser. 9. Dr. Alysious C. Lahai Assistant FAO – Representative Supervisor. LIST OF INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS. 1. Miss Beate Scherf Animal Production Officer(AnGR) FAO,Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 0100 Rome, Italy . 2. Pal Hajas Global Programme for the Management of Animal Genetic Resources, FAO Animal Production and Health Division. 3. Paul Souvenir Zafindrajaona FAO Consultant of SoW-AnGR Process. 4. Andree Black Michaud Consultante en gro-Sociologie – Canada. SoW-AnGR PROCESS SECRETARIAT STAFF – SIERRA LEONE. 1. Dr. Amadu T. Jalloh National Coordinator, and Technical Secretary/Head Consultant. 2. Mr. Sorie M. Kamara Assistant Secretary 3. Miss Jannet Kargbo Secretary - Typist 4.