the government of sierra leone - world bank · crop production. land in sierra leone is divided...
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THE GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA
LEONE
RURAL AND PRIVATE SECTOR
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT
REPORT
PREPARED BY: PROF. C. DORM-ADZOBU (CONSULTANT)
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P. O. BOX LG 185, LEGON-ACCRA DECEMBER, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... I
1. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................1
1.1 BACKGROUND........................................................................................................................1 1.2 STUDY OBJECTIVES................................................................................................................2 1.3 TERMS OF REFERENCE............................................................................................................2 1.4 STUDY METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................3 1.5 NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT .......................................4
1.5.1 Sierra Leone National EIA Requirements .........................................................................5 1.6 WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICY .......................................................................................5
2. THE PROPOSED PROJECT INTERVENTION ......................................................................7
2.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND..........................................................................................................7 2.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVE...............................................................................................................7 2.3 PROJECT COMPONENTS..........................................................................................................8
3. ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE .............................................................................................13
3.1 LAND RESOURCES................................................................................................................13 3.1.1 Agro-Ecological Zones....................................................................................................13 3.1.2 Physiography ..................................................................................................................14
3.2 CLIMATE ...............................................................................................................................14 3.2.1 Temperature and Humidity .............................................................................................15 3.2.2 Evaporation and Water Balance .....................................................................................15
3.3 DRAINAGE AND HYDROLOGY...............................................................................................16 3.4 VEGETATION........................................................................................................................16
3.4.1 Closed Forests and Secondary Forests ...........................................................................16 3.4.2 Savanna Woodlands........................................................................................................17 3.4.5 Mangrove Swamp Forests...............................................................................................17
3.5 SOILS....................................................................................................................................17
4. SOCIO-ECONOMIC BASELINE.............................................................................................19
4.1 POPULATION.........................................................................................................................20 4.2 LAND TENURE......................................................................................................................20
4.2.1 System of Land Holding in the Republic of Sierra Leone ...............................................21 4.3 ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE.......................................................................................................22 4.4 KEY AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES..........................................................................23
4.4.1 Small-Scale Farming Strategy ........................................................................................23 4.4.2 Challenges and Constraints ............................................................................................24
5. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ............................................26
5.1 METHODOLOGY OF IMPACT ASSESSMENT............................................................................26 5.2 COMPONENT A: IMPROVING DOMESTIC MARKETING IMPACTS............................................27
5.2.1 Domestic supply chains consolidation for specific crops and products..........................30 5.2.1.2 Cash/Commercial Crops (Cocoa, Oil Palm and Cashew)....................................................31 5.2.1.3 Livestock .............................................................................................................................34
5.2.2 Rural Market Infrastructure Improvement......................................................................35 5.2.3 Knowledge Management and Technical Assistance........................................................36
5.3 COMPONENT B: AGRICULTURAL EXPORT PROMOTION IMPACTS..........................................37 5.3.1 Upgrading and Creation of Market and Export Infrastructure ......................................38 5.3.2 Technical Assistance for Product Development and Adaptation, Proactive Marketing and Compliance with Quality and Phytosanitary Standards.........................................................39 5.3.3 Market information System .............................................................................................39
5.4 COMPONENT C: IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES.........................39 5.4.1 Demonstration and introduction of Improved Technologies...........................................40 5.4.2 Creation of Legally-Registered Farmer Organizations, Agribusinesses, Marketing Entities, and other Rural Businesses, ............................................................................................41 5.4.3 Public and Private Rural Advisory Services, Decentralized to the District Level ..........41
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5.4.4 Studies in Strategic Areas (Rehabilitation of Agricultural Research, Export Promotion) 41
5.5 COMPONENT D: PROJECT MANAGEMENT, MONITORING AND EVALUATION IMPACTS.........42 5.6 GENERAL INTERSECTORAL IMPACTS....................................................................................42
5.6.1 Gender.............................................................................................................................42 5.6.2 HIV/AIDS ........................................................................................................................42 5.6.3 Macro-level Impacts .......................................................................................................43 5.6.4 Pro-poor impact ..............................................................................................................43 5.6.5 Non-financial remuneration............................................................................................43 5.6.6 Migrants ..........................................................................................................................44 5.7 Summary of Project Impacts ...........................................................................................44 5.7.1 Surface Water..................................................................................................................44 5.7.2 Air Quality ......................................................................................................................45 5.7.3 Flora and Fauna .............................................................................................................45
6. MITIGATION MEASURES ......................................................................................................47
6.1 SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT .........................................................................................47 6.2 AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT ...............................................................................................48 6.3 MANAGEMENT OF FLORA AND FAUNA .................................................................................49 6.4 MANAGEMENT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS.....................................................................49 6.5 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY.................................................................................49 6.6 LAND MANAGEMENT AND SOIL EROSION CONTROL.............................................................50 6.7 TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ....................................................................................50 6.8 SUSTAINABLE FOREST PLANTATION MANAGEMENT ............................................................50 6.9 IMPROVED FOOD SECURITY..................................................................................................51 6.10 AGRO-PROCESSING CHEMICALS CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT...........................................51 6.11 LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT...................................................................................................53 6.12 PRICING OF AGRIC PRODUCTS..............................................................................................53 6.13 RURAL OR FEEDER ROAD CONSTRUCTION...........................................................................54 6.14 LAND ACQUISITION AND SITING...........................................................................................54 6.15 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT .........................................................................................................55 6.16 PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT........................................................................................55
7. MONITORING PLAN................................................................................................................56
7.1 SURFACE WATER..................................................................................................................56 7.2 AIR QUALITY ........................................................................................................................56 7.3 EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL......................................................................................56 7.4 COSTS OF MITIGATION MEASURES.......................................................................................57 7.5 CHECKLIST FOR MONITORING..............................................................................................58 7.6 COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITIES AND INVOLVEMENT............................................................58
7.7 Role of Stakeholders........................................................................................................58 7.8 HOUSEHOLD INCOMES..........................................................................................................59 7.9 REHABILITATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FEEDER ROADS AND TRACKS..............................59 7.10 PUBLICATION OF LEAFLETS, HANDBOOKS AND GUIDELINES................................................59 7.11 NURSERY ESTABLISHMENT AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT................................................60 7.12 TRAINING COURSES ON NURSERY ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT.............................60 7.13 TIMING AND PHASING OF ACTIVITIES...................................................................................60 7.14 FINANCING AND COSTS........................................................................................................60 7.15 REPORTING...........................................................................................................................61 7.16 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY...............................................................................................61
7.16.1 Short and Medium Term.............................................................................................61
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Agriculture is the primary occupation in Sierra Leone, employing about two-thirds of the
labor force and accounting for 45% of GDP. Most Sierra Leoneans live on small, scattered
farms, following a scheme of bush-fallow rotation. Rice, grown by 80% of farmers, is the
most important subsistence crop. Other domestic food crops include cassava, yams, maize
and vegetables. Cash crops include coffee, cocoa and palm products.
The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has identified the agribusiness sector as a strategic
sector for investment because of the catalytic force it can represent for poverty reduction,
particularly in the rural areas where poverty is predominant. Against this background, the
GoSL, jointly with the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank is
preparing a Rural and Private Sector Development Project (RPSDP). The present study
assesses the environmental and social impacts of the project with the following overall
objectives:
• Identify opportunities, constraints and environmental and social risks inherent in the
RPSDP and;
• Develop a plan to mitigate and address risks inherent in project design,
implementation and monitoring and evaluation.
For the analysis of the issues outlined above, the study used existing literature and
stakeholder consultations mainly in the Freetown area. A major challenge faced by the study
was that as presently formulated, the project document is not specific on some components,
for example, project location, project activities and project beneficiaries.
National Administration of Environmental Management
The administration of environmental management in Sierra Leone has changed since the end
of the civil war. The National Environmental Policy approved by cabinet in 1999 has been
adopted and is now being implemented through the various provisions of its National Action
Plan including a new legislation-Environmental Protection Act, 2000. The preparation and
processing of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) is required to follow the EIA
guidelines. A new Commission on Environment and Forestry was created by a Presidential
directive in 2005 which has now taken up the mandate, responsibilities and functions of the
original National Environmental Protection Board.
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The EIA requirements in Sierra Leone do not conflict with those of the World Bank but are
similar in many respects including project categorisation and the content of the EIA study and
report. The major difference between the two processes is that while the World Bank
recommends rather more public consultation during the scoping stage, the Sierra Leone
national EIA procedures require more public consultation at the EIA review stage.
World Bank Safeguard Policy
Operational Policy and Bank Procedure (BP) 4.01 on Environmental Assessment (EA) 1999
describes the EA screening categories and their requirements. An annex of the OP defines
the required structure of the EIA report. Another annex describes the structure of the
Environmental Management Plan (EMP). During the implementation of the project, the
borrower is expected to report on:
(a) Compliance with measures agreed with the Bank on the basis of the findings and results of the EIA, including the implementation of the EMP;
(b) The status of mitigation measures; and (c ) The results of monitoring programmes.
Proposed Project Intervention
The objective of the proposed Rural and Private Sector Development Project is to raise rural
incomes through improved agricultural exports and farm revenues for project beneficiaries
who will include the producers, private sector entrepreneurs, transporters, agro-processors
and other stakeholders. The following commodities are to receive attention:
(a) Food Crops: Rice, Cassava and Irish Potato; (b) Commercial Crops: Cocoa, Oil Palm and Cashew; (c ) Fresh Produce: e.g. Vegetables, fruits; (d) Livestock and products.
The four components of the project are as follows:
Component A: Improving Domestic Marketing
This component aims at improving domestic distribution channels for crops and livestock
products to improve the ability of farmers to market their goods in Freetown and other large
domestic markets. This component comprises three sub-components:
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¾ Domestic supply chains consolidation for specific crops and products;
¾ Rural market infrastructure improvement;
¾ Knowledge management and technical assistance to improve access to market information and identification of opportunities.
Component B: Agricultural Export Promotion
This will provide tools and services for promoting agricultural exports of traditional and non-
traditional products such as cocoa, cashew, oil palm, cassava and ginger. The component will
support a pilot export promotion initiative for these commodities identified as promising.
The component will support three main activities:
¾ The upgrading and creation of market and export infrastructure to provide facilities
where produce is transacted, assembled, processed and prepared for shipment;
¾ Technical assistance for product development and adaptation, marketing and compliance with quality and phytosanitary standards;
¾ A marketing information system. Component C: Improved Agricultural Technology and Services
This aims at increasing farmers’ access to improved agricultural technology and practices to
support the production and processing of commodities supported in components A and B. It
targets rural producers and public and private providers of agricultural services. It will
support:
¾ The demonstration and introduction of improved technologies e.g. improved crop
varieties;
¾ The creation of legally-registered farmer organizations, agribusinesses, marketing entities, and other rural businesses;
¾ Public and private rural advisory services, decentralized to the district level;
¾ Studies in strategic areas to initiate future programmes.
Activities that will be carried out under this component will include introducing new crops
and improved seeds. There could also be development of irrigation systems.
Component D Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation
This component will finance the project management function. The project will be advised
by an inter-ministerial steering committee with representation by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Food Security and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
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Environmental Baseline
A brief description of the physical environment in Sierra Leone is presented to facilitate a
meaningful appreciation of the activities under the RPSDP. This is because the project
activities are envisaged to be undertaken within the physical environment. Of the total land
area of about 71,740km2, some 60,650km2 are classified as uplands and 11,650km2 are low
lands. Out of the total land area 53, 620k km2 (5.36m.ha) has been estimated as suitable for
crop production. Land in Sierra Leone is divided into arable agricultural land (60%) pastural
(18%), mangrove and inland swamps (8%), forest under protection (4.5%) and others
(9.75%). About 6.57m.ha (90%) of the land is owned privately by families, 360,000ha by
communities and families and only 285000ha are held by Government in the form of forest
reserves.
The land resource of Sierra Leone has been classified into five agro-ecological zones:
1. Uplands-moderately well-to well-drained soils. This covers about 84% of the land. 2. Inland Valley Swamps (IVS) – covers about 9% of the land. 3. Mangrove Swamps, land adjacent to the coast or along estuarine rivers (3%). 4. Bolilands-low-lying inland depressions (2%). 5. Flood plains-located along major rivers (2%).
The climate of Sierra Leone is classified as humid tropical and is largely determined by its
geographical location. The mean annual temperature is 27oC and the mean wet season and
dry season relative humidities are 90% and 70% respectively. The mean annual rainfall is
distributed as follows:
- Coastal areas, more than 3,000mm with the Western Area recording up to 5,000mm.
- The north-central and south-eastern regions receive between 2500mm and
3000mm.
- The north receives from 2500mm to less than 2000mm.
The main vegetation types identified in Sierra Leone are as follows:
• Closed and Secondary Forests;
• Savanna Woodlands;
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• Mangrove Swamp Forests.
Socio Economic Baseline
The GoSL has implemented several economic measures aimed at addressing the factors
responsible for the pervasive poverty in the country. These measures include Structural
Adjustment Programme (1989) and Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The present population of the country is estimated at 6 million, growing at a rate of about
2.6% p.a. Population density is about 58 persons/km2 with concentration in particular regions
such as Freetown peninsula, the Kono, kenema and Bo districts. A large section of the
population is unemployed. Land tenure in Sierra Leone is characterised by a dual ownership
structure. Land in the Western Area is held under the English system of freehold interests.
This area includes the capital city of Freetown. Land in the rest of the country is held in
communal ownership under communal tenure and is controlled by traditional rulers.
The public road network constitutes the most important transport infrastructure in the
country, carrying about 80% of the internal passenger and cargo traffic. The national road
network totals about 11,000km of which some 8,000km have been functionally classified in
the National Road System (NRS). Less than 1000km of the entire network is now paved with
at least half of these reported to be in poor condition.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
This section outlines existing environmental and social conditions, identifies potential
impacts of the project intervention and develops mitigation measures to reduce or minimise
the impacts.
The guidelines developed by the Environmental Protection Act 2000 were the main tools
used for the ESIA. An Impact Identification Matrix was developed for the exercise by
matching the proposed project interventions to the key baseline environmental and socio-
economic parameters of the project area. The potential impacts identified by this method are
categorised according to their imagined level and magnitude of impacts.
Component A: Improving Domestic Marketing:
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The environmental and social implications of improving domestic marketing are largely
positive. Details of the potential impacts are treated under the three main sub-activities under
the component.
Component B: Agricultural Export Promotion Impacts:
This component will provide tools and services for promoting agricultural exports. The
beneficiaries include agricultural producers, exporters and other private enterprises.
Agricultural export promotion per se will not have any significant adverse impact on the
environment. However aspects such as creation and improvement of export infrastructure,
mechanization and increased use of agro-chemicals are likely to result in adverse impacts
which have been identified for analysis.
Component C: Improved Agricultural Technology and Services:
Activities planned under this component, e.g. introduction of improved agricultural
technology and small-scale irrigation schemes, are more likely to result in adverse social and
environmental impacts. These have been identified and addressed under the respective
subcomponents.
Component D Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Impacts:
This intervention is mainly to support the implementation of programmes under the project.
It will therefore have very little adverse environmental and social impact.
Other general inter-sectoral impacts identified with the project include beneficial impacts or
improved income and livelihood of women and children, micro level economic impacts, pro-
poor impacts, non-financial remuneration and voluntary migration.
Mitigation Measures
This section presents some proposals for mitigation of the significant adverse impacts
identified in the previous section. The topics discussed include agro-processing, chemicals
control and management, livestock management, rural and feeder road construction, land
acquisition and project siting, pricing of agricultural products and educational support
programmes.
Monitoring Plan
The results of the social and environmental impact assessment undertaken require a monitoring
programme that will provide additional data for further requirement of the mitigation measures
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proposed. The monitoring programme will track the performance of the various components of the
project. The plan includes a proposed environmental monitoring programme for the various
parameters, e.g. air and water quality, noise, soils etc. It also provides for determination of cost of
mitigation, checklist for monitoring and an implementation strategy.
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CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background
Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in national economic development. At the
national level, food security and consumption are headline indicators of human well-being, and
some economists regard growth in agricultural productivity and incomes as indicators that
developing countries are building the conditions for sustainable economic growth. In this sense,
agriculture is an important step on the road to industrialization, and agribusiness is often a
bellwether of industrial transformation. Even in economies further along the industrialization
path, agriculture can still be a significant employer even when the sector comprises a declining
percentage of GDP. Some argue that this is especially significant because agribusiness
creates jobs for the rural poor, and a market for the produce of the poor, who otherwise may
not benefit from industrialization.
Agriculture is the primary occupation in Sierra Leone, employing two-thirds of the labor force
and accounting for 45% of GDP. Most Sierra Leoneans live on small, scattered farms,
following a scheme of bush-fallow rotation, slash-and-burn field preparation, and limited use of
fertilizer. Agricultural exports in 2001 amounted to nearly $7.5 million and consisted of coffee,
cocoa, palm kernels, piassava, kola nuts, and ginger. Rice, grown by 80% of farmers, is the
most important subsistence crop and, along with millet in the northeast, is a food staple; in
1999, 247,000 tons of rice were produced, down from an annual average of 508,000 tons
between 1989 to 1991. The Rice Research Institute, located in the Northern Province, breeds
high-yielding varieties for seed. Other domestic food crops include cassava, yams, peanuts,
corn, pineapples, coconuts, tomatoes, and pepper.
Coffee is grown in the eastern and southern provinces; production totalled 15,000 tons in 1999.
Cocoa is grown in the Kenema and Kailahun districts of the Eastern Province and in the
Pujehun District of the Southern Province, mainly on smallholdings of about 0.4–1.2 hectares
(1–3 acres). In 1999, an estimated 11,000 tons of cocoa beans were produced. Palm produce
is derived from stands of wild palms, mainly in the northeast and southeast; production in 1999
included 22,000 tons of palm kernels and 36,000 tons of palm oil. Although there is substantial
local consumption of palm kernels, they are a major agricultural export. Piassava, a raffia palm
2
used for broom and brush bristles, is grown in the swampy areas of the extreme south. Small
amounts of kola nuts were also exported, and modest crops of bananas, pineapples, and
sugarcane were grown.
The 1991 invasion of rebels from Liberia in the eastern and southeastern provinces severely
damaged agricultural production and exports. Whereas annual agricultural growth averaged
3.1% during 1980–1990, it was –0.1% during 1990–2000.
The Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) has identified the agribusiness sector (in its broad
definition) as a strategic sector for investment because of the catalytic force it can represent for
poverty reduction in the country, particularly in rural areas where poverty is predominant.
Agribusiness contributes both directly and indirectly to alleviating poverty by:
• reducing food costs and supply uncertainties and improving the diets of the
rural and urban poor;
• generating growth, increasing and diversifying incomes, and providing
widespread employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in both rural and
urban areas; and
• inducing productivity gains by smallholder farmers and better integrating them
into local, national, and international markets.
It is against this background that GOSL, jointly with the International Development
Association (IDA) of the World Bank is preparing a Rural and Private Sector
Development Project (RPSDP), which is proposed to be implemented with funds
contributed by GOSL, the IDA and other donors.
1.2 Study Objectives
The overall objectives of the environmental and social impact assessment are to:
(a) Identify opportunities, constraints and environmental and social risks inherent in
the planned RPSDP project, and
(b) Develop a plan to mitigate and address risks during project design,
implementation and monitoring and evaluation.
1.3 Terms of Reference
In an effort to gain an understanding of the potential environmental and social impacts
of the RPSD project, the consultant will:
3
1. Review a) Sierra Leone’s national environmental legislation, policies and
regulations, b) procedures in conjunction with the World Bank’s safeguard
policies, and identify possible gaps. In this context, particular attention needs to
be paid to the country’s legislation and policies pertaining to rural areas
management and conservation.
2. Review Sierra Leone’s land use policy with regard to the establishment of
farming and commercial zones in rural areas, paying special attention to the
various tribal aspects of the land tenure system.
3. Assess the environmental impact of increased social and economic infrastructure
in light of the RPSD Project, including but not limited to:
� Soil and water contamination
� Impact on agro-biodiversity
� Agro -waste and disposal.
4. Assess the social impact of increased social and economic infrastructure in light
of the RPSD Project, including but not limited to the:
� Selection of project beneficiaries and how to ensure shared growth and
inclusion throughout the project implementation
� Benefits to social harmony and cohesion of communities
� Threats to social harmony and cohesion of communities
� Potential empowerment of rural poor and marginalized
� Threat that rural elite disproportionately benefit from RPSD project.
5. Identify potential environmental and social risks and propose mitigation measures
including cost estimates for implementing the mitigation plan. Such a plan will
include clear indications of the appropriate institutional arrangements, training
and monitoring ’at all levels. The consultant will develop the mitigation plan
based upon lessons learned from World Bank projects in Sierra Leone and
relevant projects from other donors.
6. Propose monitoring indicators for such social and economic investments land
other aspects as necessary for inclusion into the RPSD Monitoring and Evaluation
(M&E) system.
1.4 Study Methodology
For the analysis of the above outlined issues, the study used: (a) literature review and (b)
stakeholder consultations. As presently formulated, the project document is not specific on
4
some components, for example, project location, project activities and project beneficiaries.
These have been indicated in broad terms and therefore it has not been very easy to respond
to some aspects of the terms of reference.
1.5 National Administration of Environmental Management
The administration of environmental management in Sierra Leone has changed since
the end of the civil war. The National Environmental Policy originally approved by
cabinet in 1999 has finally been adopted and is now being implemented through the
various provisions of its National Action Plan. These include the introduction of a
new legislation – Environmental Protection Act, 2000, which is now being
implemented.
The original administrative body was the National Environmental Protection Board
(NEPB) which was charged with inter alia, providing advice, coordination,
cooperation and collaboration with other arms of government. The NEPB had some
important powers, including the review of EIAs required under the Act for certain
proposed project types. The preparation and processing of EIAs is required to follow
the EIA Procedures, published in July 2002, together with the relevant sectoral EIA
guidelines.
The Department of the Environment, formerly under the Ministry of Lands, Country
Planning and Environment, acted as the executive arm of the NEPB and administered
the EIA Procedures, including the requesting, reviewing and approving EIA reports.
The Department of the Environment has however been moved to be part of a new
National Commission on Environment and Forestry (NECF) which was created by a
Presidential directive in 2005. This Commission has now taken up the mandate,
responsibilities and functions of the NEPB.
The NEPB had a scientific committee (EIA Committee), which provided appropriate
technical advice, and the staff of the Environment Department monitored the
implementation of the recommendations of an approved EIA. However the present
capacity of the Department of the Environment to monitor implementation is very
5
limited. Moreover, its relocation within the new Commission is seen as illegal, since
it does not have parliamentary approval.
1.5.1 Sierra Leone National EIA Requirements
It is important that any EIA or its variant should be fully compliant with applicable
national EIA requirements and procedures. The national EIA requirements in Sierra
Leone do not conflict with those of the World Bank but are similar in many respects,
including project categorization and the content of the EIA study and report. The
major difference between the two processes is that while the World Bank
recommends rather more public consultation during the scoping stage, the Sierra
Leone national EIA procedures require more public consultation at the EIA review
stage.
1.6 World Bank Safeguard Policy
Operational Policy and Bank Procedure (BP) 4.01 on Environmental Assessment
(EA) 1999 describes the EA screening categories and their requirements. An annex of
the OP defines the required structure of the EIA report. Another annex describes the
structure of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). During the implementation
of a project, the borrower should report on:
(a) Compliance with measures agreed with the Bank on the basis of the findings and results of the EIA, including the implementation of the EMP;
(b) The status of mitigation measures; and
(c) The results of monitoring programmes
The Bank’s Environmental Strategy (adopted in July 2001) includes the use of
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in World Bank operations to promote
“mainstreaming” of environment, by influencing planning and decision-making at an
early stage.
Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12)
Any requirement for involuntary resettlement is considered to be one of the most
important environmental impacts of any proposed project. World Bank guidance in
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resettlement and compensation is now very comprehensive and specific in relation to
identification, participation and support of project affected persons (PAPs).
The Policy Objectives in OP 4.12 are as follows:
• Involuntary resettlement should be avoided where feasible, or minimized,
exploring all viable alternatives in project design;
• Where it is not feasible to avoid resettlement, resettlement activities should be
conceived and executed as sustainable development programmes, providing
sufficient investment resources to enable the persons displaced by the project
to share in the project benefits;
• Displaced persons should be assisted in their efforts to improve their
livelihoods and standards of living or at least to restore them, in real terms, to
pre-displacement levels.
This proposed project reveals that World Bank Safeguard Policies on environmental
and social impact assessment, including pest management will be triggered (see
components B and C below 2-4). The implementation of key interventions under the
project, specifically:
(i) Upgrading, strengthening, and enhancing market infrastructure, and
(ii) Demonstrating and introducing improved and new technologies into agricultural production, may result in adverse social and environmental impacts.
While the focus will be on land already under cultivation, risks may include increased
agro-chemical use, upsurge of pest incidence, pollution of air and water,
contamination and compaction of soils and social disorientation.
As a result of the above, a framework on environmental and social impact assessment
(ESIA) has been provided in Chapter 5 to determine the possible impacts of the
activities to be implemented under the project, and of any infrastructure created by the
project to support agro-processing and export. The safeguard on pest management
has also been addressed. Finally, a process framework has been developed to address
any potential impacts related to land acquisition and or resettlement from sub-project
activities.
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CHAPTER TWO
The Proposed Project intervention
2.1 Project Background
The Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) jointly with the International Development
Association (IDA) of the World Bank is preparing a Rural and Private Sector
Development Project (RPSDP), which is proposed to be implemented with funds
contributed by GOSL and IDA. The proposed outlay is tentatively placed at US$28
million, by the IDA, and US$2million by GOSL, with a five-year period of
implementation (World Bank Report #AC 2316).
The project beneficiaries will include producers, and private sector entrepreneurs
engaged in domestic and external trade, and transporters, agro-processors and other
stakeholders connected with the forward and backward linkages of the value chain.
Results indicators to be achieved at the end of the five-year project period are an
increase in exports (with a target increase of 40%) and an increase in incomes of
producers and traders (50%). The project intends to facilitate improvements in the
value chain in which identified constraints and blockages which hinder the smooth
and efficient flow of products from producers to ultimate consumers are
systematically overcome, and opportunities for realizing potential value-addition are
identified and strengthened.
The following commodities are to receive attention:
(a) Food Crops: Rice, Cassava and Irish Potato;
(b) Commercial Crops: Cocoa, Oil Palm and Cashew;
(c) Fresh Produce (e.g. vegetables, fruits, ginger) mainly for domestic use and
export of ginger and other fresh produce that can compete on the international
market; and
(d) Livestock and products (pilot initiative)’
2.2 Project Objective
The objective of the project is to raise rural Incomes through improved agricultural exports and farm revenues for project beneficiaries
8
2.3 Project Components
Component A: Improving Domestic Marketing: This component aims at
improving domestic distribution channels for crop and livestock products to improve
the ability of farmers to market their goods in Freetown and other large domestic
markets. Positive and visible developments in improving domestic marketing are
expected to provide major incentives to producers for increased production. This
component comprises three sub-components:
¾ Domestic supply chains consolidation for specific crops and products
¾ Rural market infrastructure improvement to address critical infrastructure
needs for selected products expected to fill gaps and not substitute for support
under other on-going projects
¾ Knowledge management and technical assistance to improve access to market
information and identification of opportunities.
The component will develop or support business models in key supply chains for the
domestic and regional markets and help design appropriate strategies for the
establishment and management of market facilities and support market information
systems. It would provide grants to local communities and market associations to
contract with private entrepreneurs to develop enterprises particularly in the fields of
agro-processing. It would also provide matching grants to selected rural and urban
SMEs investing in transport and storage of agricultural products and inputs. The
commodities (including potentially fisheries and livestock) supported under this
component will be determined based on the results of the recently completed DTIS
and further fieldwork.
To create links between key players in the value chain, the project may use
technology like computers, mobile and fixed line phones, and facsimile equipment.
Collection points could be created in various districts and various modes of transport
could be improved to facilitate quick collection. It may be necessary to acquire land
for terminals at major collection points if there are none. Presently there are no
definite numbers of how many of such terminals will be required and how much land
take will be necessary.
9
Component B: Agricultural Export Promotion: This component will provide tools
and services for promoting agricultural exports of traditional and non-traditional
products such as cocoa, cashew, oil palm, sugarcane, cassava and ginger. The
component will support a pilot export promotion initiative for these commodities
identified as promising for export by the DTIS. Target beneficiaries include
agricultural producers, agricultural exporters and other private enterprises. It would
support three main activities:
¾ The upgrading and creation of market and export infrastructure to provide faculties where produce is transacted, assembled, processed and prepared for shipment;
¾ Technical assistance for product development and adaptation, proactive
marketing and compliance with quality and phytosanitary standards ¾ A marketing information system to provide producers and exporters with
information on market opportunities and increase their bargaining power The component would provide technical assistance, training, operational support and
matching grants to implement these activities. In an effort to ensure transparency and
fairness in the process, the matching grants will be administered through public-
private partnership and an operational manual will be developed to guide decisions.
Upgrading and creation of market and export infrastructure could include
rehabilitating existing markets or building new ones. It could also mean providing
better equipped markets where sanitary facilities are of accepted standards, human
waste and refuse are properly disposed off. Adequate storage for unsold produce will
be provided and market managers will have properly equipped offices. Export
infrastructure could include pack houses, cold storage and ware houses. Training of
farmers, providing extension services, sanitary facilities on farms and developing
systems for pest control, proper use and storage of chemicals and record keeping will
all be required in this component.
A data collection and dissemination system will need to be developed. The system
could be based on the use of satellite, computers or telecommunication systems.
If new markets will be constructed there will be need to acquire land that will belong
to individuals, families or communities. In Freetown and the Western Area this will
10
be a simple transaction but this will not be same in the Province. It may also be
necessary to acquire land for sanitary facilities like land fill sites.
Component C: Improved Agricultural Technology and Services: Aims at
increasing farmers’ access to improved agricultural technology and practices to
support the production and processing of commodities supported in components A
and B. It targets rural producers and public and private providers of agricultural
services. It would support:
¾ The demonstration and introduction of improved technologies (e.g. improved
crop varieties, processing technologies such as rice hullers, irrigation techniques for off-season production, crop diversification etc.)
¾ The creation of legally-registered farmer organizations, agribusinesses, marketing entities, and other rural businesses
¾ Public and private rural advisory services, decentralized to the district level
¾ Studies in strategic areas (rehabilitation of agricultural research, export
promotion, etc.) to initiate future programs The project would provide technical assistance, training, operational support, and
matching grants to implement these activities. Matching grants would support the
initial acquisition of improved plant materials, investment in innovative small-scale
irrigation infrastructure and investments in private seed farming. The operational
support would be directed through decentralized public services providing
demonstration and advisory services, either through public or private service
provision.
Activities that will be carried out under this component will include introducing new
crops and improved seeds. There could also be development of small-scale irrigation
systems. Facilitation of group formation and registration of such groups will be done.
Advisory bureaus may be set up at district level. New crops and areas that require
research will be funded. Linkages will be created between farmers and research
institutions. New export promotion strategies, which may include holding or attending
trade fairs, advertising in international media will be done.
These interventions may result in land take, relocation/displacement of people, loss of income sources and loss of livelihoods. In such a case, OP 4.12 will be triggered and a Resettlement Plan will be required.
11
Component D Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation: Will finance the
project management function. The project would be advised by inter-ministerial
steering committee with representation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Security and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. An implementation unit composed of
executive level civil servants within the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of
Trade and Industry would coordinate the project. A Project Implementation Unit
(PIU) would be responsible for monitoring and evaluation among other functions.
12
PROJECT LOCATION MAP
13
CHAPTER THREE
3. Environmental Baseline A clear appreciation of the physical environment is required for a meaningful
evaluation of the activities under the RPSDP. This is because the project activities are
envisaged to be undertaken within the physical environment whose components and
characteristics are discussed below.
3.1 Land Resources
Of the total land area of about 71,740km2, some 60,650km2, are classified as upland
and 11,650km2, are low lands. Out of the total land area, 53,620km2, (5.36m.ha) has
been estimated as suitable for crop production. Non-arable land which includes hills,
rocky land, roads, rivers and creeks account for the rest of the land resources of the
country. Land in Sierra Leone is divided into arable agricultural land (60%), pastural
(18%), mangrove and inland swamps (8%), forest under protection and management
(4.5%) and others (9.75%). About 6.57m.ha (90%) of the land is owned privately by
families, 360,000ha by communities and families and only 285, 000ha (4%) are held
by Government in the form of forest reserves. The lands belonging to families are
small and fragmented, restricting effective planning and management.
3.1.1 Agro-Ecological Zones
The land resource of Sierra Leone has been classified into five distinct agro-
ecological zones as follows:
1. Uplands – moderately well to well-drained soils of varying depth. This covers
about 6.1 m.ha or 84% of the land
2. Inland Valley Swamps (IVS), fairly flat, poorly drained depressions between adjacent uplands – 675,000 ha (9%)
3. Mangrove Swamps – land adjacent to the coast or along estuarine rivers subject to inundation by tidal brackish water, 215, 000 ha (3%)
4. Bolilands – low-lying inland depressions subject to flooding during the wet season -120,000 ha (2%)
14
5. Flood plains – located along major rivers, flooded periodically during the wet season – 110,000 ha (2%)
3.1.2 Physiography
The country can simply be divided into three physiographic regions which run
approximately north-east to south-west. These are the coastal plains, interior plains
and interior plateaux regions.
The coastal region is generally low-lying with swampy areas covering an area of
10,444 km2 and extending some 30 km inland from the coast. The Interior Plains
region is approximately 80-100km wide and the topography is an old peneplain
continental land mass. This region is the most extensive covering 31, 418 km2 with
altitude ranging from 40m in the west to 200m in the east. This is the region of
depressions and low terraces known as bolilands which are flooded by rain during the
wet season due to poor drainage of the clayey soils and water over flowing from rivers
and streams. The Interior Plateau region rises rapidly above the interior plains to a
height of 300 to 700 and covers an area of 30, 464 km2.
Area – Region Relationships
Region Area Km2 Percentage Coastal Plan Interior Plains Interior Plateau
10,444
31,418
30,464
15
43
42
Total 72,326 100
3.2 Climate
The climate of Sierra Leone is largely determined by its geographical location on the
south-west coast of West Africa, between latitudes 7o and 10o north of the equator.
The climate is classified as humid tropical.
The climatic pattern is closely related to the general atmospheric circulation of air
masses over the tropics, with the south-west monsoon winds dominant from May to
October and the north-east trade winds dominant from November to April. The zone
of convergence of these two air masses is known as the inter-tropical convergence
zone (ITCZ) which oscillates north and south of the equator, imposing seasonality in
15
the distribution of rainfall over the country. This results in two distinctive periods, the
biologically active wet season, and the biologically dormant dry season.
The mean annual and seasonal rainfall distribution pattern is as follows:
(i) The coastal areas receive more than 3,000 mm rain per year with the Western Area recording up to 5000 mm.
(ii) The north-central and south-eastern regions receive between 2500 and 3000 mm.
(iii) The north receives from 2500 to less than 2000 mm.
(iv) Distinctly higher rainfall values above 3000 mm are recorded around Makeni, Mabonto and Bumbuna areas presumably due to the relief influence of the Sula Mountain scarp in the east.
The duration of the wet season varies from nine months, beginning in March in the
east, to seven months, starting in May in the north and west, and ending in November.
3.2.1 Temperature and Humidity
The mean annual temperature in the country is 27.0oC. The monthly average
maximum is 30.0oC but during February and March, temperatures of up to 35.0oC
have been recorded. The average minimum is 22.0oC.
The relative humidity varies considerably with the seasons and during the day. The
mean wet season and dry season relative humidities are 90% and 70% respectively.
During the day, relative humidity varies from 80% in the morning to 40% in the
afternoon. In the dry season values can drop very low.
3.2.2 Evaporation and Water Balance
The annual amount of evapotranspiration in Sierra Leone ranges between 1300 and
1600 mm. During the dry season, the high sunshine hours, high air temperatures and
low moisture content help to increase the daily rates of evapotranspiration to 4.5 mm
per day. In the wet season, evapotranspiration values average at 3.5 mm per day
because of the high humidity values. The water balance calculations therefore
indicate that during the wet season, there is “Water Surplus” ranging from about 1200
16
to 2600 mm and during the dry season the “Water Deficit” ranging from 240 to 610
mm above the assumed soil water storage of 100 mm.
3.3 Drainage and Hydrology
The river basins of Sierra Leone are relatively small (See MAP). Five out of the nine
major drainage basins originate in the country, namely Rokel, Pampana or Jong,
Sewa, Waanje and the coastal rivers and creeks. The Great and Little Scarcies and the
Moa rivers originate in the Fouta Djallon plateau in Guinea while the Mano River
originates in Liberia. All the rivers flow an almost linear pattern from north-east to
south-west. The respective total length of each river and the basin area within Sierra
Leone are shown in the following table:
Total Length and Area of River Basins in Sierra Leone
River Basin Total Length (km) Area Km2 % Area Great Scarcies Little Scarcies Rokel/Seli Pampana/Jong Sewa Waanje Moa Mano Coastal Streams/Creeks Peninsula & others
160
280
380
300
430
200
320
180
120 -
3115
13000
10620
7511
14140
4510
9220
2530
6960
720
4.3
17.9
14.8
10.4
19.7
6.2
12.7
3.4
9.6
1.0
Total - 72,326 100.00
3.4 Vegetation
The following main vegetation types are identified in the country.
3.4.1 Closed Forests and Secondary Forests
These are primary and mature secondary forests presently found mainly on hill slopes
and crests in the Sewa, Mano and Moa river watersheds and the Peninsula Mountains
of the Western Area. The primary forests are mature, dense and moist with mixed
17
stands of evergreen and semi-deciduous trees. Previously, they covered a greater part
of the country, but presently account for less than 5% of the vegetation coverage.
3.4.2 Savanna Woodlands
This vegetation is an association of trees and grasses occurring mainly on hill slopes
and undulating plains in the drier zones of the country. It comprises of a fairly high
density of often gnarled trees and tall grasses. The trees generally have large crowns
and can grow up to about 15m tall. The grasses grow up to 3m tall above the lower
undergrowth. This vegetation type is predominant within the central and northern
parts of the Little and Great Scarcies watershed.
3.4.5 Mangrove Swamp Forests
These are found in estuaries of the major rivers and creeks which line the west cost of
the country. These comprise of salt tolerant, stilted shrubs and trees occurring on low
mudflats of these estuaries along the edges of the creeks and the rivers and inland as
far as the limit of the tidal influence. The forests are usually dense, comprising trees
up to 20m tall. However densities are generally high where tidal influence is most
marked, and also where estuaries are protected.
3.5 Soils
Soils in Sierra Leone have been grouped into 12 soils associations by the Land and
Water Development Division (LWDD) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Security. Each of the soil associations has different attributes. Most soils in Sierra
Leone are acidic (pH 4-5), and like most tropical soils are ferralitic and excessively
leached as a result of the humid tropical conditions. This is particularly true of the
upland soils, with such common mineral as Kaolinite, aluminium and iron. Organic
matter content is low, making the soils less suitable for cropping. Top soils’ organic
carbon levels range between less than 1 percent in soils under annually burnt savanna
in the north and 2-4 percent in the secondary regrowth and forest in the south, to 3.10
percent in the seasonally flooded swamps which are relatively fertile and suited for
rice cultivation.
18
Available plant nutrients are low. The most important soils are the Ultisols, Oxisols,
Inceptisols and intergrades. The soils are generally infertile and there is lack of
proper management practices. The estimated soil loss due to erosion varies from 14
to 109 tons/ha/year depending on soil type, slope, vegetation and land use.
19
CHAPTER FOUR
4. Socio-Economic Baseline The Sierra Leone economy has always been based on the exploitation of natural
resources, notably agricultural, marine and mineral resources. Public sector influence
has been dominant in the economic activity in the country. The economy is
dominated by the agricultural sector which accounts for 44.1% of the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) (GOSL Econ Bull, Vol 9 # 2 March 2003). Agriculture has remained
traditional and subsistence in character, incapable of satisfying the food needs of the
country by a wide margin, and improving the living standards of the broad mass of the
population. Over 70% of the country’s labour force is employed in agriculture. Since
poverty is pervasive in the country, the GOSL is implementing several measures
aimed at addressing the factors responsible for the difficulties identified in the
economy.
Sierra Leone embarked upon a Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1989 with
the following objectives:
1. Achieve and maintain a stable macro-economic environment
2. Redefine the public sector’s role while restoring the government’s capacity to provide basic services
3. Create an economic environment conducive to private sector development
These objectives and attendant strategies still constitute the basic framework of the
Government’s economic reform policy. The Government has also embarked on a
programme to achieve food security by 2007. Agriculture is a priority and it is
acknowledged that in order to move from the current state of subsistence,
mechanization should be seriously incorporated into agricultural practices. The
linkages among all the sectors of the economy have also been recognised and
highlighted in all government programmes, i.e. environment, agriculture, water
resources, forestry, industry, health, transport, education and the decentralization
process.
Poverty Reduction Strategy
20
The Government has completed its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and
although the programme is based on access to basic services, empowerment has also
been given strong consideration. Investments are being made in other sectors such as
infrastructure. Poverty reduction programmes aim at economic and social
empowerment of the poor and creating an enabling environment for development
through investment in transportation, communication, energy and other economic,
social and physical infrastructure.
4.1 Population
The population of Sierra Leone is estimated at 6 million, growing at a rate of about
2.6 percent per year. The population density of about 58 persons/km2 is relatively
high as compared to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The population is
concentrated in some particular regions of the country including the Freetown
peninsula, the Kono, Kenema and Bo districts. The northern part of the country is
sparsely populated. A large section of the population is unemployed, especially
among the youth. An estimated 68% live close to the forest or forest regrowth area on
which they depend for their livelihood.
National average population density varies among the districts, chiefdoms and towns.
Generally, the regions, which have important economic activities tend to harbor larger
populations. Areas with 80 persons per km2 are the diamond areas or those with
large-scale rice cultivation. These include Kono, Kenema and Bo (diamonds and
trading) and Freetown (capital and industrial).
Areas with medium density (50-80 persons/ km2 ) are mainly in the arable alluvial
soils and centres for rice, coffee and cocoa production. Areas with low density, i.e.
below 30 persons/km2 are mainly in the north, the southern coastal areas and the east.
4.2 Land Tenure
Land tenure in the Republic of Sierra Leone is characterized by a dual ownership
structure. Land in the Western Area, which is the area originally settled by the Creole,
the liberated slaves on their arrival in the country, is held under the English system of
21
freehold interests. It is believed that the land was acquired through negotiation with
the natives by the English and passed on to the settlers. This area includes the capital
city, Freetown. It is also the area that has seen considerable growth and is clearly
distinguishable from the rest of the country by the level and quality of development.
Land in the rest of the country is held in communal ownership under customary tenure
and is controlled by traditional rulers who administer it on behalf of their communities
in accordance with customary principles and usage. The result is a dichotomy between
modernization and tradition. While in the Western Area interest in land can be
assigned with little difficulty, in the Provinces, the traditional authorities are unwilling
to assign interests in land, which would connote any possibility of perpetual alienation
such as freehold interests as this will deprive posterity of its ancestral heritage.
4.2.1 System of Land Holding in the Republic of Sierra Leone
The Western Area Land tenure in the Western area traces its history from the British Colonial
administration. The area settled by the freed slaves was declared a Colony of the
British Empire, and the settlers, having lived in England, and having experienced the
English way of life and system of governance, were more inclined to live their lives
like the British. As a result of this and other socio-political considerations, British
concepts of tenure were introduced in the colony (Western Area). Since the land on
which the freed slaves were resettled was purchased in the name of the British
monarch, the settlers were therefore tenants of the British Crown and the title passed
on to them was the tenancy in fee simple or freehold.
After independence in 1961 the Government of Sierra Leone replaced the crown as
the “landlord” of the Western Area and the freehold system was allowed to persist.
The Provinces Land is communally held under customary tenure in the provinces though there are
minor differences among the various ethnic communities, the general trend is that
land is considered a divine heritage which the spirits of the departed ancestors expect
to be preserved and handed down to future generations. This is because land is
deemed to belong to a large family comprised of the departed ancestors, the living and
22
the unborn generations. It is regarded as a heritage entrusted to the living with a
responsibility to ensure its preservation and subsequent assignment to future
generations.
Family Interests The absolute interest in land is vested in families who have responsibility for their
portion of the land. The paramount chief is regarded as the custodian of the land on
behalf of the entire chiefdom but decisions regarding land are the preserve of heads of
families. The administration of the community interest is vested in the head of the
land-owning family who is aided by a council of elders. One very important
consequence of the fact that absolute interest in land is vested in the family is that it
invests every member of the family with an inherent right to the occupation and use of
any part of the family land.
The Individual’s Interest Where a family member wishes to cultivate any part of the family land, he has to
obtain special permission from the family head that would normally allocate land to
him. In some societies the individual has to pay some money, locally referred to as
“kola” or “handshake”, to the family head as acknowledgement of the land granted to
him. The grant, however does not confer ownership of the land but only confers on
him the right to use the land.
State or Public Lands There are two types of State lands in Sierra Leone; they are Crown Lands and
Government Reservations. Crown lands are found in the Western Area while
Government Reservations are found in the Provinces.
Crown Lands comprise of lands which have been acquired ”for the service of the
colony” under the Public Lands Ordinance, 1898.
4.3 Road Infrastructure
The public road network constitutes the most important transport infrastructure in the
country, carrying about 80% of internal passenger and cargo traffic. The national
road network totals about 11,000 km of which some 8,000 km have been functionally
classified in the National Road System (NRS) and the remaining 3000 km as local
23
networks and unclassified roads and tracks. Less than 1000 km of the entire network
is now paved with at least half of these reported to be in poor condition. Many
formerly paved roads have reverted to gravel due to neglect during the civil war. Of
the unpaved portions, less than 30% is in fair to good condition (GoSL Vision 2025,
August 2003).
Road construction and rehabilitation is now being given the priority it deserves. The
Feeder Roads Department of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Technical
Maintenance is undertaking the rehabilitation programme with the support of donors.
The Government of Sierra Leone recognises the crucial link between the road
network, especially feeder roads and food self sufficiency. So far, the European
Union (EU) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) have provided funds for road
works in four Districts each (See Maps).
The road rehabilitation programme does not involve the construction of new roads. It
essentially deals with the rehabilitation of existing network through formation,
regravelling and reconstruction of old bridges and culverts. A National Road Fund
provides funding for the maintenance of the road networks, using light equipment
from the Plan Pool. Concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of
using laterite on the roads, and this will be addressed in the impact assessment section
of this report.
4.4 Key Agriculture Development Issues
4.4.1 Small-Scale Farming Strategy
The production of both food and cash crops in Sierra Leone is almost exclusively by
small-scale farmers. It is therefore advisable that the GOSL should rely largely on a
small-scale farming strategy for the increased agricultural production envisaged under
the project.
The main thrust of the small-scale farming strategy is to ensure that agricultural
inputs and services are directed to small-scale farmers with a view to improving their
resource productivity and increasing their farm output. In pursuing this strategy,
Government will liaise with and coordinate the work of local and foreign non-
24
governmental organizations, which are currently operating in the field of food and
agricultural production and related areas.
4.4.2 Challenges and Constraints
• Infrastructure: The poor state of roads in the countryside does not only have
direct impacts on the marketing of agricultural produce, but also has indirect
consequence on adding to the cost and difficulty of supplying food in the rural
areas. Port facilities and costs may also constitute a major constraint on
exports, especially food crops which need special handling.
• Investment Environment: Long-term investments in agriculture are required if
a diversified agricultural export base is to be established. Growth and
diversification cannot rely only on the activities of rural small-scale farmers.
It will require a new class of entrepreneurs who will invest in larger scale of
production, coupled with processing and marketing in order to drive the
agricultural sector forward. This is the major role of the private sector in the
project.
• Sustainability of Exports: The agricultural export market is very competitive
and if Sierra Leonean producers are to maintain a place in the export business,
then they must develop the culture of competition. This will require the
following in all sectors:
- Efficiency of production, backed by strong extension service and
availability of inputs including planting materials, fertilizers and
pesticides.
- Information on markets and consumer demand and capacity to
respond
- Cooperation between all participants in the project – farmers
groups as business units, private sector entrepreneurs and
cooperatives.
- Innovation in research into new products and varieties.
• Environmental Management Concerns: These have been identified as closely
related to:
- traditional bush fallow – farming systems and changes;
25
- increased use of inland valley swamps (IVS) for agriculture and the
effects on water management ;
- degradation of mangrove and natural forest for fuel wood and
timber;
- denuding of watersheds resulting in increased runoff and associated
soil erosion and siltation of water ways.
26
CHAPTER FIVE
5. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Environmental and Social Impacts Assessment (ESIA) outlines existing environmental and
social conditions, identifies potential impacts and develops mitigation measures to reduce or
minimize the impacts of the project on flora and fauna, including human beings, and identifies
the specific actions to address and mitigate the potential adverse effects of the project.
5.1 Methodology of Impact Assessment
The guidelines developed by the Environmental Protection Act 2000 were the main tools used
in the preparation of the Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP). The ESIA and ESAP
constitute the overall ESIA for the project. The ESAP should be considered as a living
document to be updated from time to time to ensure that its content reflects the current
conditions and knowledge base on the project site.
Various techniques exist in the determination and identification of impacts. These
include the Ad-hoc Methods; Matrices; Checklists; Networks; Map Overlays (Batelle
Environmental Evaluation System); and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). For
the purposes of this study, the Impact Identification Matrix technique was used. A
two-dimensional table (project activity vs. impact) was designed by matching the
proposed project interventions to the key baseline environmental and socio-economic
parameters of the project area. The potential impacts identified by this method have
been categorised according to their imagined level and magnitude of impacts.
Professional experience and knowledge, consultations and case studies of similar
projects coupled with the review of relevant literature were used to determine the
magnitude and significance of the impacts. Table 1 shows an Impact Identification
Matrix.
The presentation of the individual project-impact results could be presented either by
discussing the potential positive, adverse impacts of each project activity or sub-
activity under pre-production, production and post production Impacts or taking each
27
project component one by one and predicting the significant environmental and socio-
economic impacts. Each method has its merits and demerits. However, we have used
the later because it affords one the opportunity to discuss the various project
components.
5.2 Component A: Improving Domestic Marketing Impacts
The strategies proposed in the project for improving domestic marketing include the
establishment and management of market facilities, market information systems and provision
of grants to market associations (women’s associations, petty traders’ associations) for agro-
processing and enhancing domestic marketing. The environmental and social implications of
improving domestic marketing are largely positive. Details of the potential impacts are
discussed under the three main sub activities under this component.
28
TABLE 1: SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IDENTIFICTION MATRIX
[ 0 ] = No impacts [ 1.] = Slightly/ Negligible Impacts [ 2.] = Moderate/Marginal Impacts
Environmental Parameters Socio-economic ParametersENVIRONMENTALPARAMETERS
PROJECT INTERVENTIONS
La
nd Q
ualit
y
Air
Qua
lity
Flo
ra
Fa
una
Sur
face
/Gro
Soi
l
Ge
olog
y/
Wa
ter
Clim
atic
Tra
nspo
rtat
ion
and
Tra
ffic
Occ
upat
iona
l S
afe
ty
Noi
se
(ib
ratio
n)P
ubl
ic H
ea
lth
and
Saf
ety
Soc
io-
Ei
Em
plo
yme
nt
La
ndsc
ape
(a
est
hetic
)
Pop
ula
tion
dL
dR
ese
ttle
me
nt
Infr
ast
ruct
ure
/Pub
lic
Util
itie
sC
ultu
ral/R
eli
gio
us s
ites
Component A: Improving Domestic Marketing1. Domestic supply chainsconsolidation for specific
crops and products;2- 1- 1- 1- 2- 2- 0 0 1- 2+ 1- 1- 1- 2+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 1- 2+ 2+
2. Rural Market Infrastructure improvement; 2- 1- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 0 2+ 2+
3. Knowledge management and technical assistance. 3+ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3+ 2+ 0 0 0 0 1+
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Component B: Agricultural export promotion1. Upgrading and creation of market and export
infrastructure;1+ 1- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2+ 1- 1- 0 2+ 2+ 1+ 0 0 3+ 1+
2. Technical assistance for product development andadaptation, proactivemarketing and compliance withquality and phytosanitary standards;
2- 1- 1- 1- 2- 2- 01- 0 0 2- 0 2- 2+ 2+ 1+ 0 0 2 1+
3. Market information system 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1+ 0 0 0 3+ 3+ 0 2+ 0 3+ 3+
Component C: Improved Agricultural Technology andServices
1.Demonstration and introduction of improvedtechnologies
2- 0 2+ 2+ 2+2+ 0 0
1+ 1+ 1- 1- 1- 3+ 3+ 2+ 1+ 0 3+ 2+
2.Creation of legally-registered farmer organizations,agribusinesses, marketing entities, and ruralbusinesses,
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3+ 3+ 2+ 1+ 0 2+ 2+
3.Public and private rural advisory services,decentralized to the district level;
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3+ 3+ 2+ 0 0 1+ 1+
4.Studies in strategic areas (rehabilitation of agriculturalresearch, export promotion, etc.)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2+ 1+ 0 0 0 0 0
Component D: Project Management, Monitoringand Evaluation
1. Formation of Inter-ministerial steering committee 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2+ 3+ 0 0 0 0 2+
2. Implementation unit (executive level civil servantswithin the MOA and MTI)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2+ 2+ 0 0 0 0 3+
29
[ 3.] = Significant Impacts [ + ] = Positive Impacts [ - ] = Negative/Adverse Impacts[ r ] = Both Positive/Negative Impacts
30
5.2.1 Domestic supply chains consolidation for specific crops and products
The main commodities selected include food crops (rice, cassava, Irish and sweet potato);
cash crops (cocoa, oil palm and cashew); fresh produce (vegetables, ginger, and chilli); and
livestock products. Rice is Sierra Leone’s most important traditional food crop, grown all over the
country using a variety of different production techniques. Production started to decrease in 1991-92,
but the decline was precipitous during the last part of the decade because of dislocation caused by the
war. With the cessation of hostilities, rice production began to revive - reaching 552,000 metric tons
by 2005, which was back to pre-war levels. Furthermore, there are grounds for optimism based on the
introduction of new production technology, such as the NERlCA variety, which can easily double
returns to upland rice farmers.
Cassava, a relatively robust "insurance" crop, has increased significantly in recent years, with an
average of 54% of farming families currently growing the crop. It is grown throughout the country in
uplands and inland valley swamps. It is the principal staple starch when rice is not available, and the
second most important crop after rice in terms of production and consumption. Cassava tubers are
perishable and potentially toxic. They need to be processed, both to improve shelf life and to remove
the toxic substances. The main steps are peeling, washing, heating, grating, pressing, fermenting,
frying and drying, and finally milling and sieving. Grating can be done manually, which is a tedious
labor-intensive process, or it can be done using a mechanical rasping machine driven by a small diesel
engine. Groundnuts have also recently grown in importance; with total production in 2004/05 double
that of a decade earlier.
Increased and improved cereal and food crop production during project implementation will certainly
improve food security and the nutritional and health status of the people. Malnutrition is currently a
serious problem among children, adolescents and women. The major causes are low dietary intake,
inappropriate weaning practices, household food insecurity and parasitic infections. These frequently
result in protein energy malnutrition, stunting, vitamin and mineral deficiencies in children under-five
years, school-aged children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Maternal and under-five mortality
rates are factors that contribute to poor educational attainments, limited socio economic opportunities
and high fertility which also influence the nutritional status of individuals.
The environmental impacts associated with the production of these agricultural products are
varied and to some extent similar. These include increase in use of agro-chemicals, water
pollution, soil and land degradation, diseases and pests etc.. . Sustainable agricultural
practices are best in mitigating any negative impacts.
31
5.2.1.2 Cash/Commercial Crops (Cocoa, Oil Palm and Cashew)
A lot of research findings exist in the production and processing of cocoa, oil palm and
cashew. Tree crop farming currently provides employment opportunities for an estimated
100,000 rural producers. Almost all production currently takes place on smallholder
plantations averaging I to 2.5 hectares in size. However, many of the orchards are elderly and
the war caused widescale abandonment as witnessed by the minimal output of coffee. About
85% of cocoa is grown in the Kenema and Kailahun Districts in Eastern Sierra Leone.
The overriding concern in the cocoa industry is decreasing productivity, especially due to the high
incidence of black pod disease. Although chemical control is possible, cultural techniques are another
option. In addition, it is important to introduce high-yielding hybrid cocoa varieties used in Ghana and
Cote d’lvoire. The operations of the experimental seed gardens need support. Another short-term
priority is quality improvement. Cocoa exports currently suffer a large price discount due to the
prevalence of mould. Drying techniques need to be improved either through farm groups or through
investment in small-scale fermentaries. A pricing system which offers an incentive for farmers to
supply better quality cocoa would help. The number of inspections of cocoa must be rationalized, and
the Ad Hoc Committee disbanded. The Sustainable Tree Crop Program based at IITA in Nigeria could
bring valuable experience from neighboring countries while helping coordinate and catalyze the
various initiatives underway in Sierra Leone. Most importantly, there needs to be a consensus across
Government that the cocoa sector is a top priority so that everyone will play their part.
Cashew cultivation in Sierra Leone was started in the late 1980s, when a 600 hectare cashew
plantation was established in the Kambia district by the Magbema Cashew Farmers
Association, with additional trees being planted by one hundred or so outgrowers. As of
January 2005, about 3,600 hectares of cashew trees existed, mostly in the Northern and
Western parts of the country, of which about 1,200 hectares were bearing fruit. Since cashew
trees start bearing at 4 to5 years, this implies that two thirds of the acreage under cashew was
planted recently.
The major problems associated with these tree crops include land holdings and ownership problems;
price fluctuations; and the occurrence of insect pests and diseases. Pests and diseases for example,
limit the production and profitability of these cash crops in many countries. Table 2 below shows some
of the environmental impacts of the cocoa industry.
32
TABLE 2: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF COCOA PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (SMALLHOLDINGS)
Production activities
Primary environmental
impact
Agents of pollution
Secondary impacts on Ecosystem
1. Nursery establishment
(a) Nursery shade Bush clearing; disturbance to habitats.
Man No Impacts. Smallholders do not establish nurseries
(b) Application of insecticides
Chemical alteration of the ecosystems.
Toxic chemicals Water pollution, depletion of fish and aquatic organisms
2. Transplanting
(a) Weed control through use of herbicides
Disturbance to habitats.
Toxic chemicals Minimal Water pollution, and depletion of fish and aquatic organisms
(b) Established shade trees: coconut and fruit trees
Micro-climatic changes.
Man Positive Impacts. Good for development of cocoa trees
(c) Use of insecticides
Habitat destruction; changes in species diversity; reduced insect resistance.
Toxic chemicals Quite insignificant. Only when required
3. Field maintenance
(a) Weeding and use of herbicides
Physical disruption of habitat
Toxic chemicals Possible impact on fisheries, source of drinking water etc.
(b) Fertilizer application
Chemical alteration of habitat
Chemical nutrients
Minimal Impact; also used for inter-cropping
(c) Pesticide use
Changes in the ecosystem and population of organisms
Toxic materials Death of local population of organisms
(d) Fungicide use Changes in natural habitat; reduced insect resistance.
Toxic materials Minimal Impacts
4. Post-harvest and on-farm processing
(a) Pod wastes Garbage; fouling; nuisance.
Solid waste Breeding site for black pod disease, viruses and pests. Recycled as organic fertilizer
(b) Sweats from fermentation
Fouling; nuisance. Liquid waste Negligible. Only localized Impacts
(c) Discarded beans Disturbance of the Solid waste Negligible. No beans discarded
33
environment
In the case of oil palm production the processing can pose adverse impacts to the environment
especially when appropriate pollution prevention and abatement measures are not incorporated in the
design stage for pollution avoidance and/or minimisation. Significant quantities of wastewater are
generated in the milling process. . The process also produces considerable amount of solid waste. Oil
palm cultivation itself results in long-term soil fertility loss, loss of vegetation and emergence of
undesirable plant species. Thus waste disposal measures should be undertaken with adequate care.
Table 3 below shows the major disease and pests of the oil palm and their control.
TABLE 3: MAJOR DISEASE AND PESTS OF THE OIL PALM AND THEIR CONTROL Diseases Symptom Control
1. Germinating Seed Brown Germ (Aspergillus sp)
Brown spots appear on emerging ‘button’. These spread and coalesce as the embryo develops, and the tissue become slimy and rotten
Immerse seeds after de-pulping in a fungicide and bactericidal solution of streptomycin and T.M.T.D.
2. Seedling i) Leaf diseases • Anthracnose
• Small translucent spots, typically
near the top or edge of the leaf or where the leaf is damaged
• Spray seedlings with fungicide (Thiram or Dithane M45) weekly in the pre-nursery from the two-leaf stage and for 6 weeks after transplanting to the nursery.
• Feckle or cercospora Leaf spot
• The youngest leaves of nursery seedlings become infected and minute translucent spots surrounded by yellowish-green haloes enlarge and become dark brown
• Application of fungicides (Dithane M 45 and benomyl (Benlate).
• Pruning of affected leaves
• Seedling Blast or curvularia leaf spot.
• Small, translucent yellow spot becoming irregularly elongated along or between the veins.
• Treatment similar to cercospara leaf spot.
ii) Spear and Bud rots. • Phytophthora spear Rot.
• Median leaflets of the spear leaf are affected by a rotting which varies greatly in intensity
• Disease not yet been sufficiently virulent to require special control measures.
iii) Root Disease • Blast Disease
• Affected seedlings lose their
normal gloss and become dull and flaccid, the leaf colour changes to olive to green, dull yellow, purple or umber
• Provision of shade to reduce Blast incidence
• Provision of irrigation substantially and significantly reduces the Blast incidence
• High standard nursery cultural practice.
3. Adult Palm i) Leaf Diseases: • Patch Yellows • Coelaenonenodera minuta
• Infection takes place in the
unopened spear leaf. • Widespread defoliation
• Pathological work not yet fully
established and published • Application of insecticides and
Evisect “s”
Crown Diseases • Crowns of oil palm leaves bent downwards in the middle of the rachis
• Pathological work not yet fully established and published
34
ii) Root and stem Diseases • Dry Basal Rot
• Foliar symptoms are preceded by extensive bunch and inflorescence rot
• Inoculation through root-dipping technique
4. Pests and Insects • Red Ring disease • Arachnids (spiders, mites) • Orthoptero (locusts)
• Commonly found on unprotected
and mismanaged plantations
• Regular sanitary and good
plantation management
SOURCE: Compiled from C.W.S. Hartley, The Oil Palm, Tropical Agricultural Series, 1977
5.2.1.3 Livestock
The animal production system in all the rural smallholder stocks is based on traditional mixed backyard
system where animals are left to scavenge for feed freely around households and on community
garbage dumps with little feed supplementation and watering provided by women and children. This
system unduly retards growth and productivity of livestock. There is no provision of shelter against
inclement weather and conflict arises between livestock farming and crop farming due to the destruction
of crops by livestock during the cropping season. Housing and confinement will stem the tide of crop
destruction and reduce the risk and rate of losses suffered from predators, road accidents, and theft.
The poor genetic stock of local animals imposes restriction on their growth performance for high
productivity and efficiency of production. There is the need to improve the genetic base of the stocks
while retaining their innate adaptive and good qualities. This will be achieved through breed selection,
breeding with improved selected sires or crossbreeding with high producing exotic genotype.
Prevalence of epidemic infectious diseases such as PPR, parasitic and viral diseases such as
trypanosomosis, dermatophilosis, gastrointestinal helminthiasis, tick borne diseases and anthrax,
coccidiosis and Newcastle disease greatly reduce the productivity of livestock and poultry in Sierra
Leone. Government veterinary services are not able to deliver adequate animal health services and the
few veterinarians that are in the system are over-stretched. Consequently, there is the need for more
intermediate manpower development in the animal health care sector.
The project therefore intends to improve husbandry practices, improvement upon the genetic
base of the local livestock, improvement in the veterinary and animal health care delivery and
improved accessibility to credit. Farmers will be educated on the importance of good animal
husbandry practices, in particular housing and feeding. It is expected that there will be short-
term refresher training on proper animal husbandry practices for livestock extension workers.
Construction of simple low cost but adequate and well-ventilated housing and kraals for the
animals will be demonstrated. Farmers will be exposed to feed conservation and diversified
feed sources for their animals.
35
The main environmental implications of this component include:
(i) possible overgrazing of grasslands;
(ii) waste discharge, and
(iii) infectious diseases.
(iv) Overgrazing would cause or worsen soil erosion and endanger the ecological stability of
surrounding forest areas.
5.2.2 Rural Market Infrastructure Improvement
Supporting infrastructure is needed to facilitate the commercialisation process. Fresh produce
such as vegetables and fruits, which are perishable, require proper storage facilities (e.g. cold
chains and cold rooms). The production of palm oil also requires as a prerequisite an
expansion of nurseries. The capacity of existing nurseries needs to be improved and new
nurseries established especially in areas where irrigation is being introduced or practiced. The
possibility of private sector engagement in investing in support infrastructure of this kind also
needs to be explored. This component is likely to ensure the long term viability of the
commercial farming programme.
Commercial farming will require the support of farm mechanisation. Farmers will need
access to rural finance as a prerequisite for purchasing, leasing or hiring machines and
equipment. Efforts are also needed to strengthen the delivery of local level mechanisation
services. Advisory support is also needed to strengthen local training relating to machinery
and equipment use, e.g. plough setting, tractor driving, etc., and building the capacity of local
repair service providers. It is expected that the programme will support the following actions:
��Physical construction of market places in communities, provision of access roads,
telecommunication, ICT and GCNET facilities, freight forwarders and export/import facilities,
custom and excise etc.
��Providing advisory support with respect to standards and evaluation of equipment and tractors.
��Setting up a mechanism to ensure that there is proper and effective coordination and
collaboration between public institutions and private players in support of
mechanisation. This should include initiation of consultative meetings between
stakeholders (government, NGOs, local service providers, formal service providers
and farmers) to improve coordination.
��Designing a training programme for potential commercial farmers in farm business
management. The training would be designed to provide farmers with skills in farm
36
planning and management and to make better decisions regarding whether to purchase
a machine or equipment as an investment or, alternatively, whether to rent. The
training will also cover operational aspects such as how best to maintain and make
efficient use of the asset.
Anticipated constraints/impacts include:
��Physical barriers (poor physical infrastructure including rural access, facilities for
collection and storage of agricultural products);
��Co-ordination failures amongst actors along the value chain that deny potential
economies of scale and other opportunities for efficiency improvements, including
distribution networks;
��Information asymmetries that skew bargaining power between agents along the
supply chain and reduce competitiveness;
��Poor capacity at the individual and enterprise level to manage production, transport,
distribution, retail, marketing, and export processes effectively and efficiently and
consistent with market demands (in particular quality issues); and
��Low capacity among the relevant public institutions necessary to facilitate, promote
and where necessary regulate various aspects of the supply/ value chain by providing
necessary public goods and services (including a regulatory capacity).
5.2.3 Knowledge Management and Technical Assistance
A major challenge in Sierra Leone is to change the mindset of smallholder farmers to become
more commercially oriented and to provide income opportunities for the migrants and the
vulnerable. In order to achieve this goal assets and employment opportunities need to be
created. Marginal farmers should be provided with the means to generate sustainable family
incomes. Off-farm activities appear as a supportive strategy for land based interventions to
provide income and employment for the poor. Livelihood diversification interventions could,
for example, focus on the promotion of smallholder livestock whilst identifying ways of
increasing value added. The promotion of pig rearing and fattening, back-yard poultry, and
semi intensive sheep and goat production could be encouraged as income diversifying and
risk reducing strategies for small scale farmers. The livestock based income generating
strategies should also aim at maintaining the complementarity between crops and livestock in
productive ways to ensure long-term sustainability through integrated, mixed crop-livestock
systems. The initiative should concurrently encourage increased commercialisation and
intensification of livestock husbandry.
37
The component can be addressed through understanding the livelihood systems of the rural
community, identifying potential enterprises for introduction into the farming system,
realigning the support service delivery system to enhance its capacity to deliver quality
services that respond to farmer needs, and provide farmers with training in rural enterprise
development and in establishing linkages with the private sector. Through these efforts, farm
incomes and food security in the assisted provinces and districts could be increased.
The project is expected to create various employment opportunities for local farmers. This is
expected to impact positively on people by providing job avenues for high income. There will
also be increased employment and income for adjoining activities due largely to the
improvements in infrastructure, aesthetics, land and property values in the vicinity of the
project.
In order to have the right caliber of manpower to meet the expected improvements, this
intervention will provide training to farmers associated with producer organisations as well as
developing the capacity of advisory service providers both through the public and private
sectors. Training programmes will be designed in farm business management, post harvest
handling, marketing and value addition. The training will aim at increasing the capacity of
farmers to better manage their farm business. Exchange visits for farmers should also be
promoted for farmer-to-farmer and organisation-to-organisation learning.
No negative impacts are anticipated in the short term. However, low staff motivation after
their training may result in high staff turnover.
5.3 Component B: Agricultural Export Promotion Impacts
This component will provide tools and services for promoting agricultural exports of
traditional and non-traditional products such as cocoa, cashew, oil palm, cassava and ginger.
The component will support a pilot export promotion initiative for these commodities
identified as promising for export by the DTIS. Target beneficiaries include agricultural
producers, agricultural exporters and other private enterprises. Agricultural export promotion
per se will not have any adverse significant impact on the environment. It could rather be a
medium through which sound and sustainable agricultural practices could be introduced
through eco labeling, and quality assurance.
38
5.3.1 Upgrading and Creation of Market and Export Infrastructure
Market and export infrastructure, comprising rural roads, markets, irrigation systems, water supply,
health and educational facilities, are basic to quality of life in rural areas and are important factors in
economic development. Even though the statistical reporting systems are weak, there is evidence to
suggest that such key rural infrastructure necessary to accelerate economic growth are generally below
the levels that will promote appreciable levels of economic activity in the project area. This suggests
that the level of deprivation is high especially in the project communities, requiring some attention.
The feeder road system for example, collects traffic from mainly the rural communities, farm
gates and production centers onto trunk roads for further distribution. The feeder road
infrastructure supports socio-economic activities effectively in order to ensure that rural and
farming communities’ transport needs are adequately met. The system provides access to
farm gates and markets, schools, clinics and other social facilities in order to ensure
competitive and stable prices for their produce by minimizing the transport cost for both
export and internal consumption. The programme will also support Government’s efforts to
reduce the incidence of poverty, alleviate disparities in incomes, improve standards of living
between the rural and urban areas and to raise the quality of life through improvement in
access to social services and economic opportunities to improve household incomes.
The upgrading and creation of market and export infrastructure could result in initial short
term constructional impacts. These temporary impacts include air pollution, water pollution,
occupational health and safety problems, noise and vibration. The main sources of noise for
example, will be the operation of heavy equipment to be used for land clearing. Workers
operating such machinery will be exposed to risks such as impaired hearing (from noise).
However the impacts would be temporary and should not culminate into lasting effects.
One other factor worth discussing is the choice of siting the export facility. Because
agriculture has typically been studied as an opportunity, the consequences of its demise are
less well understood. It is assumed that small and large growers are able to switch between
annual crops fairly easily to take advantage of new opportunities. It is more difficult for
perennial crop growers where there can be several years between planting and harvest. This is
one reason slumps in coffee and cocoa prices have had a serious impact on economic
development in parts of Central America and West Africa, and the survival strategies adopted
by many farmers highlight the need to consider livelihood diversity as an aspect of
sustainability.
39
Small growers of crops such as vegetables, cashew and ginger can find themselves forced out of
export markets (and even domestic ones) by regulations relating to food safety, and intellectual
property rights. Where small growers are able to compete with plantations or commercial farms (e.g.
cocoa, oil palm), the land-holder may be relatively wealthy and it is sharecroppers and labourers who
are the real poor. Indeed, in some cases commercialisation of agriculture has worsened the plight of the
poor by, for instance, depriving them of land rights and reducing the amount of land, time or financial
capital available for subsistence farming
5.3.2 Technical Assistance for Product Development and Adaptation, Proactive Marketing and Compliance with Quality and Phytosanitary Standards
Mechanization and agro-chemicals pose short and long-term risks to worker health and safety
that without adequate risk prevention, medical facilities, insurance and training can have
negative economic impacts at the household level. Long hours, especially during peak
periods which often create a demand for child labor, are a feature of agriculture that on the
one hand provide opportunities to earn additional income, but on the other if excessive or too
frequent can mean fewer jobs are created as well as putting over-worked employees at
physical risk.
5.3.3 Market information System
Fair prices and price stability are only one aspect of trading relations that might promote
economic development. Access to market information is important so that farmers can decide
when to sell and how to negotiate. Timely payment can prevent farmers seeking credit to
cover operational costs, and longer-term contracts can help them develop more efficient,
longer term investment strategies. There is also evidence that another benefit from stable
relationships with buyers is that growers gain access to national and international peer
networks (resulting for instance in improved market access and productivity gains), and build
up degrees of trust that reduce transaction costs.
5.4 Component C: Improved Agricultural Technology and Services
Majority of Sierra Leonean farmers still use shifting cultivation and bush burning for land
clearing and use simple tools like hoes and cutlasses, thus limiting the area under cultivation.
These practices are responsible for severe yield reduction due to delayed operations such as
planting, weeding, harvesting, transport and storage. Furthermore, the slash and burn system
is responsible for gradual soil degradation and declining soil fertility. Conservation
40
agriculture is seen as a practice that reduces soil erosion, improves soil fertility and reduces
production costs through reduction in external inputs and service costs in farming operations.
It is expected that at the end of the project (i) community and public awareness in modern
agricultural practices would have been created (ii) suitable agriculture technologies screened
(iii) conservation agriculture technologies validated and promoted (iv) capabilities of
extension staff of MAFs and other stakeholders to introduce and promote mechanised
conservation agriculture enhanced (v) mechanized conservation agriculture technologies
exchanged and (vi) training manuals for mechanised conservation agriculture developed.
The project will also provide technical assistance, training, operational support, and matching
grants to implement these activities. Matching grants will support the initial acquisition of
improved plant materials, investment in innovative small-scale irrigation infrastructure and
investments in private seed farming. The operational support will be directed through
decentralized public services providing demonstration and advisory services, either through
public or private service provision.
There have been numerous technological advances in areas such as plant breeding,
agricultural machinery, agro-processing, environmental management and storage that have
increased agricultural productivity. Access to technologies is uneven and can have negative
economic consequences. For example, a recurring theme in agricultural development has
been the lack of appropriate, affordable technologies for small growers. The ‘green
revolution’, while undoubtedly increasing rice yields, drastically altered land-ownership in
Java, and today enforcement of plant breeders’ rights as part of international trade agreements
is depriving some small growers in East Africa of access to export-quality planting materials.
However, small growers can also be responsive to new technologies and market
opportunities. For example, in Uganda they responded quickly to the demand for organic
cotton and the health food sector’s demand for dried organic fruit.
5.4.1 Demonstration and introduction of Improved Technologies
The positive impacts of beneficiary awareness campaigns far more outweigh the negative
impacts. Awareness created will help the beneficiary communities understand the project
concept. Participation by individual farmers to make the project successful will be enhanced.
Training, demonstration and introduction of Improved technologies will have very minimal to
no adverse impacts on the environment.
41
Training workshops will help the beneficiaries to develop their social life, acquire general
knowledge in wildfire, forestry management, health and enhance their record keeping and
financial management as outlined in the project document.
5.4.2 Creation of Legally-Registered Farmer Organizations, Agribusinesses, Marketing Entities, and other Rural Businesses,
Producer organisations are a way of increasing farmers’ capacity to better manage their farm
businesses. As a group, farmers will be better able to negotiate for better product and input
prices as well as facilitate the distribution of inputs, marketing of outputs and the
dissemination of agricultural technologies. Farmers could be organized into groups on a
commodity basis in order to enjoy economies of scale and reduce transaction costs.
A pre-requisite for contract farming is also the organisation of smallholders into farmer
associations. Farmers, through better organisation, have a greater potential to identify buyers
for their produce and arrange for delivery to markets. This, however, requires strong
extension service support in a number of subject areas:
(i) identifying buyers and providing information on product prices, terms and
conditions;
(ii) organising farmers to sell produce to buyers or market centres;
(iii) organising farmers to assemble their produce in a central location to make it
attractive for buyers to visit the farming community.
The creation of legally-registered farmer organizations, agribusinesses, marketing entities,
and other rural businesses will have positive impacts.
5.4.3 Public and Private Rural Advisory Services, Decentralized to the District Level
Decentralization of Public and Private Rural Advisory Services to the District level is a
component of Government’s Strategy which will benefit rural farmers, both men and women.
5.4.4 Studies in Strategic Areas (Rehabilitation of Agricultural Research, Export Promotion)
These studies will promote agricultural output by making available to farmers new and
improved plant varieties and export avenues. This will generally have positive impacts but
the long-term implications must be considered as part of the normal monitoring mechanism.
42
5.5 Component D: Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Impacts
This intervention is mainly to support the implementation of programmes under the project. It involves
strengthening data collection and management capacity, strengthening skills for promoting agri-
business, and the establishment of provincial and district capacity for policy co-ordinating, budgeting
etc. It will therefore have no adverse impacts on the environment.
5.6 General Intersectoral Impacts
5.6.1 Gender
The inter-relationships between men and women; boys and girls in households predominantly
engaged in agriculture are generally determined by traditions and stereotyped roles for the
sexes. There are indications from various studies undertaken1 that inequity exists within the
agricultural sector which impede the equal contribution of men and women to agricultural
attainments. The traditions include land tenure systems that do not favour land ownership by
women; practices that discourage women from owning certain types of livestock (e.g. cattle)
and unequal distribution of household chores. These not withstanding there is an increasing
number of women engaged in the poultry rearing industry where rural women mainly rear
small scale free-range chickens while urban women are more involved in medium scale
poultry production.
Predominantly a women’s activity, agro-processing is still done by traditional methods on a
wide scale. The need to empower the women through better economic opportunities and
more efficient ways of carrying out the household chores and reducing drudgery cannot be
over-emphasised. Women bear a greater responsibility in feeding the family and as the
traditional set-up imposes certain limitations on them, there is the need to build their capacity
especially in agro processing, trade and easy access to potable water, where they have the
comparative advantage in terms of skills so that they can adequately support their families.
5.6.2 HIV/AIDS
Large sections of Sierra Leonean communities have inadequate understanding of the impact
of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on food security and therefore, stigmatisation of households
affected by HIV/AIDS is rife. Neighbours privy to the sero-status of infected community
members frequently marginalise affected families, a situation which poses challenges to
organisations responsible for the protection and promotion of nutrition and food security in
many societies in Sierra Leone. The development of programmes that ensure diligent
1 Voices of the Poor, World Bank, 2000 and State of the Ghanaian Child Report, Ghana National Commission on Children, 2002
43
confidentiality which encourage Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) in rural areas can
ensure appropriate targeting of vulnerable households and individuals to promote suitable
nutrition for the affected. The welfare of vulnerable households can be further assured with
the integration of safety net interventions and effective nutritional health education strategies
that recognize household resource management as a pivot to equitable family food security.
5.6.3 Macro-level Impacts
Economic impact tends to be analyzed at two separate levels, the macro and the micro. Macro level
indicators are widely used by economists and underpin many national and regional agricultural policies.
Studies of economic impact at this level have shown not only that agriculture contributes significantly to
national economies in poor countries, but that even in industrializing economies, agriculture remains
important for poor people. In most developing countries, the majority of the poor depend on agriculture,
and increases in agriculture income are an important indicator that economic growth is benefiting the
poor. Even in fast growing economies such as China, growth in incomes from agriculture was evident
before industrial growth.
5.6.4 Pro-poor impact
There is wider recognition that not all economic growth is ‘pro-poor’ growth. Agri-business
can play a significant role in more inclusive growth by providing a market for the poor’s
produce, by promoting greater productivity, and by making food and other agricultural
produce available to the poor. Given the high proportion of poor people’s income spent on
food, anything that affects price and availability is likely to have a positive economic impact
on their lives.
5.6.5 Non-financial remuneration
The above is not to imply that agriculture employment is always exploitative, only to
highlight some of the difficulties in understanding its relationship to economic development.
Even wages may not be an indicator of economic impact. Family labor, remunerated through
access to land and rights to social capital as much as through money, remains important in
many regions, and to an extent explains the expectations of a paternalistic relationship some
workers have as commercial growers. For example, amongst Ghana’s small pineapple
growers employment on a neighbor’s farm is a form of apprenticeship, a way of staking a
claim to land, a source of income, and a way of obtaining food and shelter, and although
wages are lower on such farms compared to nearby commercial farms, the combination of
benefits is preferred by some local people. Such situations are likely to arise under the
project and these must be noted and extended.
44
5.6.6 Migrants
Most migrant workers come voluntarily to fill the demand for labor that cannot be met
locally. The economic impact of such employment is probably most readily noticed in their
home communities, and migrants may not benefit from advancements in the farming
communities themselves. For instance, the squalid conditions of migrants farmers in Ghana is
in part because they remit most of their earnings to their home villages.
5.7 Summary of Project Impacts
Weighing the general impacts of the project it can be discerned that positive impacts both
socially and environmentally will outweigh negative impacts in the long term. The
implication is that the participating communities and the country as a whole would benefit
immensely.
With reference to the social and environmental matrix provided in Table 3, it could be seen
generally that the project has few significant impacts on the social and physical
environment. Issues of significant impacts as discussed earlier include the following:
5.7.1 Surface Water
Water bodies are generally used as sources of potable water by most rural communities in the country.
A number of project activities are envisaged to impact on the streams/rivers in the project area. These
include the construction of selected feeder roads, establishment of nurseries for cocoa and other tree
crops, and the application of agrochemicals:
The construction of feeder roads will certainly involve the use of heavy machines that will create loose
soil particles and flora debris. These under very heavy downpour depending on the exact location of
road could lead to siltation and clogging of nearby water bodies. Additionally the roads themselves will
be subjected to erosion and could end up silting the rivers. The heavy earth moving machines to be
used during the construction process could accidentally spill oil, which could find its way into water
bodies and the quality of the water will thereby be impaired.
The establishment of nurseries establishment entails clearing the land and this not only
predisposes the site to erosion but exposes it also to the direct effect of sunlight, which in turn
may exacerbate evaporation. Eroded soil particles would eventually find their way into water
bodies ultimately affecting the physical and chemical characteristics of the water bodies.
45
Pesticides use at the nursery and on farms cannot be ruled out in the event of pest attack.
These chemicals if misapplied or if accidentally spilled could find their way into the waters
leading to pollution. In addition aquatic flora and fauna could be impacted upon negatively.
5.7.2 Air Quality
It is envisaged that local air quality could be temporarily and negatively affected by particular
activities associated with the project. These are basically the construction of the feeder roads
and spraying with Agrochemicals (weedicides/ pesticides)
The major impact on air quality is dust emission, which could lead to respiratory problems of
animals and humans with continuous exposure. Another effect is its temporary impact on
visibility of the vicinity of the roads being constructed. With the use of constructional
machines, which invariably use diesel as sources of energy, CO2, NOx, SOx and CO could
temporally pollute the ambient air.
The quality of air within areas being sprayed with the chemicals could be negatively affected
through emissions of fine particles (vaporized agro-chemicals), which could invariably lead
to bad odour. The area of the impact is usually localized but under windy conditions the
chemicals may be blown over a longer distance affecting the quality of air there.
5.7.3 Flora and Fauna
The implementation of the project will carry with it a wide variety of negative impacts on
flora and fauna.
Land preparation and clearing process and construction may destroy all kinds of plant.
Habitats of some wild species of animals may be destroyed in addition to the destruction of
some sedentary and near sedentary animals.
Dust particles generated during the construction and haulage of seedlings and other
agricultural inputs on gravelled roads could lead to long term exposure of fauna species
(humans and wildlife) and consequently lead to respiratory disorders in them. The plants
impacted upon by the dust particles will have their photosynthesis disrupted through blockage
of their stomata and consequently lead to poor plant growth and yield.
46
The application of agrochemicals in general stands to distort the ecological balance of the
area through the disruption of the existing food chain. Human beings may develop
complications either from drinking water that is polluted or from consuming contaminated
food items by agrochemicals.
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CHAPTER SIX
6. MITIGATION MEASURES This chapter provides some proposals for mitigation of significant adverse impacts identified
in the previous chapter and plans for ongoing management of the project to ensure that
environmental impacts will be kept to the minimum throughout the lifetime of the project.
The summary of project social and environmental impacts for which mitigation measures
have been provided include the following:
��Surface Water management:
��Air Quality management:
��Management of Flora and Fauna:
��Management of Socio-economic impacts:
��Occupational Health and Safety:
��Land Management and Soil Erosion control
��Training and Capacity Building
��Sustainable Forest Plantation Management
��Improved Food Security
��Agro processing Chemicals Control and management
��Improved Crop Protection and Regulatory Unit
��Livestock Management
��Pricing of Agric Products
��Rural or Feeder Road Construction.
��Land Acquisition and Siting
��Public Involvement
��Project Management Support
6.1 Surface Water Management
The road contractor will be advised to ensure that the road is compacted with rollers and
watering done regularly to avoid siltation/clogging of nearby water bodies from surface run-
off. The road contractor is expected to construct side drains to help check the effect of storm
water. The project will make funds available for regular road maintenance.
48
All heavy earth-moving machines engaged in constructional activities will be checked and
serviced regularly to avoid accidental oil spillage, which might end up polluting surface
water.
To prevent excessive evaporation, the nurseries will be sited at reasonable distances from
inland water bodies. This is to ensure that enough vegetation is left as a buffer to provide
shade for the water bodies. It will in addition help prevent loose soil particles from being
washed into nearby water bodies.
In assessing the hazards of chemicals, the most important considerations are the toxicology of
the agrochemical, their physical and chemical properties (volatility, solubility, stability) and
routes by which organisms may be exposed to them. There are serious implications
associated with releases of residual agrochemicals to surface and ground water. In the light of
the above all agrochemicals will be handled and stored with the most care since poor
handling and storage can cause pollution or affect yield. Their application will be done under
the manufacturer’s specification and the applicant shall be clothed adequately with personal
protection equipment (PPE) eg. Masks, Wellington boots, Overalls Extension officers will be
engaged to train and supervise farmers in any chemical application (weedicides and
insecticides) that might become necessary in the course of the project implementation.
6.2 Air Quality Management
Dust emission will be more pronounced during land preparation and clearing stages. Traffic
flows on the feeder roads either for the supply of agricultural inputs or haulage of harvested
crops is expected to add to dust emission. A wide range of respiratory diseases, including
pulmonary fibrosis, obstructive lung disease, allergy and lung cancer could arise if dust is not
properly controlled. Fortunately, all these sources will be minimal and intermittent. Regular
watering as stated in the previous section will be applied to check dust emission. In addition,
the use of protective devices such as nose masks, helmets and goggles will be strictly
enforced.
Pollution of the project area of influence from vaporized agro-chemicals will be checked
through proper handling and application. All necessary protective gadgets and clothing will
be made available to farmers after they have been given the needed training.
49
6.3 Management of Flora and Fauna
Regular watering of the feeder roads will help reduce the effect of dust on photosynthesis and
crop yield.
The effect of chemical usage on the lives of organisms in the project area is not expected to
be significant. Timing will be considered seriously in any chemical application that might be
done.
6.4 Management of Socio-economic Impacts
Influx of traders and middlemen to the participating communities is expected to rise as
farmers begin to harvest their farm produce. The project will therefore put in place proper
local marketing procedures to avoid being overwhelmed by middlemen and other traders.
Small-scale businesses are likely to spring up when farmers raise their capitals from sale of
food crops. With time, social vices may increase in the communities. Measures will therefore
be put in place to check the activities of both land encroachers and criminals.
6.5 Occupational Health and Safety
Farming activities have several health implications for the people involved. Snakebites,
cutlass wounds, eye and lung infections cannot be ruled out. Measures to be taken to address
these include:
i. Establishment of Community Based Health Planning Services (CHPS) existing in
some of the major communities should be extended to the rest of the communities
to provide mobile health centers periodically.
ii. Due to the absence of established health centers, First Aid Activities should form
part of all the training programmes related to the project.
iii. In the medium term, health centers should be established in the major
communities.
iv. Mobility of health personnel should be improved. This include provision of motor
bikes, Four Wheel Drive vehicles,, ambulances etc
v. Appropriate accommodation should be provided to entice health workers into the
otherwise deprived and inaccessible areas.
vi. Road network should be improved to enhance health accessibility and delivery.
vii. Traditional herbalist in the localities should be identified, licensed and offered
enhanced training to facilitate their health delivery services.
50
viii. Provision of protective clothing at the onset of the project and
reinforcement/replacement seasonally e.g. safety boots, hand gloves, raincoats etc.
6.6 Land Management and Soil Erosion control
Land allocation should be monitored throughout the project implementation to eliminate
middlemen.
i. In the immediate term, all land disputes must be identified and resolved
completely.
ii. The role of Chiefs/Traditional rulers in land ownership should be well established
to prevent unforeseen disputes.
iii. Appropriate farming practices should recommended improving land and watering
management.
iv. Training and Capacity
v. Avoid indiscriminate bush burning
vi. Introduction of terracing and contour planting on steep slopes.
vii. Buffer creation along watercourses to prevent siltation of streams from soil
erosion.
6.7 Training and Capacity Building
Training and Capacity Building should be mandatory for participants, irrespective of position
in the society.
i. Training programmes should be project specific.
ii. Training modules should correspond with the need of the various phases of
project implementation.
iii. Capacity Building must address identified needs of the beneficiaries
6.8 Sustainable Forest Plantation Management
1. Provision of viable planting materials (e.g. seeds, stocks etc.) must be provided at the right time to obtain quality/vibrant seedlings.
2. Establishment of the nurseries should take cognizance of the planting season to avoid over maturing of seedlings before planting.
3. Planting should be done at the right time and all management practices applied. E.g. weed control, pests and diseases control, fertilizer application etc.
51
6.9 Improved Food Security
In the short term, food production is expected to increase and mitigation measures should
include:
��Provision of improved storage facilities
��Processing of farm produce e.g. Garri, maize grits/flour etc.
��Training in storage techniques should be included in the training schemes.
��Access roads to marketing centers or routes should be improved or provided.
��In the long term, processing of dominant produce from the alternative livelihood schemes should be considered snails, mushroom etc.
6.10 Agro-processing Chemicals Control and Management
These wastes will be controlled or treated with standard mitigation measures. For example,
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices currently used by the Crops Division of MAFs
will be improved at the Provincial and District levels. Cleaning and cooling water will be
sterilized and recycled. Sanitary wastes will be treated in septic tanks. Organic solid wastes
will be used as stock feed or fertilizer. On balance, these enterprises are unlikely to have a
significant impact on the surrounding environment. Project level EIA recommended.
Vaporised Agro-chemicals have properties that are potentially harmful to man and to many
beneficial species. In assessing the hazards to men the most important considerations are the
toxicology of the agro-chemicals, its physical and chemicals properties (volatility, solubility,
stability, etc.) and the routes by which humans and animals may be exposed to it. These may
include exposure of third parties or workers following spillage or other accidents, from
exposure during spraying, or contact with used containers.
In order to ensure sound management of pesticides through regular monitoring, inspection
and training, it is proposed to strengthen the existing Crops Division of MAFs. The expected
interventions include the provision of training courses for pesticide dealers and applicators
and extension personnel/ inspectors; and the provision of equipment and laboratory to
conduct sample analyses and field monitoring. Other interventions include the organisation of
educational programmes on the safe and efficient use of pesticides, and the establishment of
pesticide data banks
In the long term, it is expected that there will be over-use and misuse of pesticides. This
would have negative impacts on the environment. These impacts could be avoided if the
training is environmentally sensitive. Beneficiaries of the training package should
52
concentrate mostly on pesticide dealers and Farmer Associations. Other agencies should also
benefit from such training
The following measures would avoid potential problems related to agro-chemical use:
1. Use more effective, low-toxicity, nonresidual pesticides;
2. Provide technical training to farmers, especially in relation to integrated pest management;
3. Apply the relevant standards on pesticide formulation, dosage rates, application
methods, safe interval periods, and maximum permissible residue levels;
4. Farm plantation management should closely supervise safety procedures, and should prescribe safe handling and application methods, dosage, timing, frequency of application, disposal of surpluses, packing materials, and cleaning of equipment;
5. Fertilizers should be applied in split dosage to minimize losses, e.g., annual dosage to be split into 3-4 applications; the use of slow-release fertilizers would be preferable from an environmental point of view;
6. Judicious application of fertilizers (as practiced around the stem of the palm) greatly reduces the runoff and seepage of residues into drains;
7. Circular weeding around the stem base greatly reduces the residual runoff of herbicide residues into drains; the blanket spraying of herbicides should be avoided;
8. Maintenance of soil cover reduces runoff and leaching of chemical residue into drains; the spillage of herbicides in drains should be avoided;
9. Timing, climate (wind direction, rains) and season should be taken into account in foliar spraying of agro-chemicals;
10. Regular clearing (preferably manual or mechanical) of drains would avoid the accumulation of excessive weeds and the creation of breeding sites for mosquitoes;
11. Selection of pesticides, consideration should be given to the acute and residual toxicity, the rate of degradation in soil and water, and the toxicity of degraded components;
12. National laws pertaining to prohibited chemicals, and guidelines on pesticides should
be followed; 13. Monitoring of water quality by testing from physico-chemical changes in the water
and pesticide residues to be included in the EMP; existing water quality standards as set for the uses by the agencies should apply;
53
14. Chemicals for pest and disease control should only be used when the outbreak has reached the threshold level. If applications are necessary, judicial usage of the right chemical at the correct concentration and in the correct manner should be practiced.
Date Chemical Used Area Covered Quantity Used Quantity Left (Stock)
Name of Sprayer
Note: these depend on the recommended dosage specified by the chemical companies in the safety data sheet..
The application of agro-chemicals will be carried out under manufacturer’s specification and
the applicants shall be clothed adequately with personal protection equipment (PPE).
Management will ensure that the workers use these protection equipment (e.g. masks,
Wellington boots, uniform etc
6.11 Livestock Management
To mitigate against this impact, supplemental feeding using crop straw and agricultural by-
products should be supported under the Project. Wastewater from intensive livestock farms
comprises urine, feces, flushing water from the pens, and sanitary wastes from the farm
workers Such wastes are high in organic matter, ammonium, and malodorous gases.
To mitigate the potentially harmful discharge of such wastes to the environment, wastewater
will either be treated in septic tanks, and the treated water released to field irrigation, or sent
directly to fermentation tanks to produce methane gas. Solid wastes include excrement, feed
residues, solid wastes from personnel, and boiler cinders. The organic solid wastes, after
drying, can be used as fertilizer, or could be added to the fermentation tanks for methane
production. The small amount of boiler cinders can be used for road surfacing. To overcome
the odor problems, proper ventilation of gases is needed and pens should be at least 200 m
away from residential areas.
6.12 Pricing of Agric Products
The price paid to suppliers is clearly a major part of the economic impact of sourcing, and
sections of the agriculture industry have been criticized for paying prices less than the cost of
production or encouraging systems where middle men exploit small growers. Many free trade
advocates argue that low prices are a result of interference in markets that encourage
misplaced investments and prevent growers from receiving a proper return on their
investment. As mitigation measures, therefore, the project management will introduce safety
nets that guarantee a minimum price, and the domestic private sector will be encouraged to
54
invest in inventory credit and similar systems that can smooth prices in the market, improve
grower incomes and credit access, and reduce food losses. There is a long, well-documented
history of mistrust between growers and vendors revolving around issues such as price fixing,
grading and weighing. In some cases, simple steps such as accurate measurement scales or
improved packing have had positive impacts in terms of financial and social capital. In other
instances such as those involving major commodity traders, only lengthy legal action initiated
by government agencies has stopped practices that have a negative economic impact on
producers. The above recommended measures should avoid such legal actions.
6.13 Rural or Feeder Road Construction
The stabilization of embankments by mechanical compacting and revegetation soon after
construction will avoid erosion along the side of the roads. The installation of culverts,
bridges, and other civil works will avoid disruption of surface hydrology and natural
drainage.
Mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction of the roads include:
��avoiding pollution of soils, water, and air by effluents or emissions from construction
equipment;
��providing adequate sanitary and waste disposal facilities in labor camps and affected
communities;
��filling in and landscaping the borrow pits, which may become breeding sites for
animal vectors for human diseases; providing prophylactic and curative drugs for
laborers exposed to such vectors; and
��providing compensation for the loss of land and land uses, including crops. The
allocations for these measures should be included in the budget for the road
construction. Standard national road design and construction safety guidelines of the
road sector should be applied.
6.14 Land Acquisition and Siting
An important first impact in many locations is the acquisition of land. Land purchases that are
regarded as unjust are common in many developing countries. In addition to creating a legacy
of bitterness that may last for generations, they can disrupt economic development by forcing
local people out of traditional economic activities, creating cultures of dependency between
communities and the company, discouraging productivity, and fomenting instability and
corruption. In contrast, where land is acquired in ways that local communities regard as fair,
55
this can have a positive effect by encouraging a sense of common interest and enabling the
company to build strong social capital. The decision to build a facility for growing and
processing generates opportunities for construction and service providers, and companies
make choices about how much such contracts will contribute to local economies. Therefore,
in considering economic impacts we should be aware of the different implications of
technologies where all parts and expertise are imported compared to those that have a greater
local component or those where there is a clear strategy to increase local inputs over time.
6.15 Public Involvement
During the design of the Project, efforts have been made to involve participation of the
beneficiaries in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the project. A social base
line survey outlining key issues for public involvement has been conducted, and a plan for
indigenous peoples has been prepared. Additional efforts to involve the public in a more
active way are required. The personnel given the task to implement the Project must be
trained in development communications to be able to know how to communicate with the
community effectively. During the planning and implementation phases, considerable time
needs to be allowed to explain verbally the concept and objectives of the Project to the
people, especially when the majority of them are illiterate. Dialogue, meetings and group
discussions should be held with the local community leaders, the longhouse committee,
influential people, younger members of the community and the more reticent members of the
community. During these functions, the concept, objectives and benefits of the Project, target
dates, work mechanisms and work schedules should be discussed and agreed upon. During
implementation of the Project authorized staff (scheme manager) should discuss work
programs and targets for the month or year with the people, particularly women.
6.16 Project Management Support
To ensure positive impacts of the project management support, all supplies must be done
timely at every stage of the project implementation. All supplies should be monitored to
ensure that they get to the intended beneficiaries. Support should be revived periodically to
cater for emerging needs and also to identify and eliminate wastage.
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CHAPTER SEVEN
7. Monitoring Plan Results of the social and environmental impacts that were predicted suggest monitoring programmes
that will provide additional data for further refinement of the mitigation measures proposed. The
monitoring programme will track the performance of the various components of the project.
7.1 Surface Water
It is proposed that surface water monitoring will be conducted on a quarterly basis for all the
water bodies identified in the project area. Parameters such as pH, conductivity, turbidity and
suspended solids will be analyzed from samples collected. Other factors will include
dissolved oxygen, nutrients, COD, BOD and total faecal coliform bacteria. Sampling and
analysis of run-off water will also be carried out to ensure early detection of agro-chemical
contamination. Results of analysis shall be compared with international standards in order to
make an informed decision.
7.2 Air Quality
Air quality monitoring will be conducted at the project site at least once every quarter within
the project area of influence. This will only involve measurement of dust levels using dust
deposit gauges. In addition to helping to safeguard the health of organisms including humans,
dust levels will be used as a guide for road and foot track maintenance.
7.3 Erosion and Sediment Control
Erosion and sediment loss will be monitored through regular inspection of project area
especially access roads and foot tracks. Visual assessment conducted on routine basis will
provide evidence of where control measures need to be implemented. Re-vegetation or
maintenance of any disturbed area will be implemented as soon as safe and practicable. Table
4.shows the proposed monitoring programme.
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Table 4: Proposed Environmental Monitoring Program Environmental Segment
Monitoring Items/Indicators Monitoring Frequency
Layout of Monitoring Points
Air Quality SO2, TSP, dust, other pollutants Twice a year. Around agro-processing plants
Surface Water Quality Temp., pH, SS, total hardness, DO, permanganate index, BOD5, NH3, nitrate, phenol, cyanide, chloride, arsenic, Cr6+, Cu, oil, pesticides, fluoride.
Twice a year. Monitoring cross sections on each river upstream and downstream of the discharge locations.
Small Scale Irrigation Water
Flow, temp., pH, chloride, S, Hg, Arsenic(As), Cr, Cu, Zn, fluoride, cyanide, oil, volatile phenol
Twice a year. Observation points at head works and middle section of the main canal.
Soils Cd, Pb, Mercury (Hg), As, Zn, Cr, pH, F, chloride, pesticide residues
Twice a year. Observation points on farmland around potentially polluting agro-processing plants.
Crops, Fruit and Vegetables
Chemical fertilizer, pesticide residuals, and pollutant residuals
Once a year. Crops collected from areas around monitored plants
Sanitary Wastewater Discharges
Flow rates, pH, COD, BOD, SS Once a day, for 3 days each month
Discharge point
Intensive Livestock Farms Wastewater Discharge
PH, SS, BOD, COD, NH3-N, Flow rate.
For three consecutive days each month.
General drainage outlet from farm
Fruit and Vegetable Processing Wastewater Discharge
Flow rate, pH, SS, chloride, COD. For three consecutive days each month.
Drainage outlet for whole plant.
Other Agro-processing Wastewater Discharges
Flow rate, pH, SS, BOD, COD, soluble total solids
For three consecutive days each month.
Drainage outlet for whole plant.
Noise Leq (equivalent audible weighted sound level)
Once each season
Source, plant boundary and surroundings
7.4 Costs of Mitigation Measures
Impact mitigation and management costs money and it is obligatory for the project implementers to
make available funds for such measures. A summary of some of the important cost lines for mitigation
is shown in Table …… below.
SUMMARY OF COSTS OF MITIGATION MEASURES
Proposed Mitigation Cost of Mitigation
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7.5 Checklist for Monitoring
A checklist to assess the rate of progress of the project should include the following:
• Rate of progress of the project
• Performance of participants
• Institutional performance
• Water bodies
• Livelihood schemes
• Administration of the fund
• Biodiversity (flora and fauna)
• Socio-economic activities
• Infrastructural development
• Roads development
• Incidence of wildfire
7.6 Community Responsibilities and Involvement
The performance of the participating communities could be monitored through the following
identifiable roles and responsibilities:
• Land preparation
• Nursery establishment
• Planting
• Cultural practices (weed, pest and disease control fertilizer application)
• Wildfire control
• Control mechanisms against illegal harvesting
7.7 Role of Stakeholders
The role of the stakeholders could be assess through the following:
• Each institution should develop their respective monitoring and work plans
• Identifying individual specific roles
• Budgeting, expenditure and auditing annually
• Establish reporting channels
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• Effective consultation and collaborative programmes
• Satisfactory deployment of equipment and personnel for adequate programmes
• Achievement of target set in the work plan
7.8 Household Incomes
The following indicators could measure changes in household income:
• Current total household incomes
• Number/size of shops acquired
• Number of new houses built
• Number of cars bought
• Number of schools
• School enrolment and level of educational status reached
• Number of children acquiring vocational skills
• Types and patterns of prevalent diseases
• Literacy level
• Improvement in social amenities eg boreholes, schools, electricity, post office,
communication centers etc.
• Improvement in road network
7.9 Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Feeder Roads and Tracks
This will improve transportation, movement of people and goods and general communication links.
Improvement in access to schools, medical facilities, social gatherings etc.
However the influx of wokers could lead to:
• Social vices such as sexual promiscuity, robbery etc.
• Quality of forest reserve could be disturbed as noise from road equipment and users will scare
off wildlife.
• Vegetation loss will be inevitable.
• Siltation of water bodies as a result of road rehabilitation works could lead to water quality,
quantity and river flow problems.
7.10 Publication of Leaflets, Handbooks and Guidelines
• Posters should be considered alongside the publication of Leaflets, Handbooks and Guidelines
• Contents of publication must be rich in pictures.
• The content of the publication should easily be understood and if possible should run pre-
publication trials in the target localities.
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• Content should be rich in local examples.
7.11 Nursery Establishment and Laboratory Equipment
Nursery should be upgraded or reviewed periodically in other to include: i. Indigenous species
ii. Rare medicinal species
iii. To attract wider varieties of wildlife into the rehabilitated forest.
iv. To diversify the economic importance of the forest.
Similarly, the laboratory equipment should also be upgraded periodically to enhance the
expected nursery activities.
7.12 Training Courses on Nursery Establishment and Management
Training courses on nursery establishment and management should be revised periodically to
cater for emerging issues associated with the project implementation. Frequency of the
courses should be regular eg. annually to ensure adequate understanding of the beneficiaries.
There should be monitoring programmes to evaluate and ensure proper adaptation of the project concept.
7.13 Timing and Phasing of Activities
For successful implementation of the project timing and phasing of activities should depend on the
following:
• Sensitization phase and the readiness of the participants.
• Supply of input duration
• Periodic review of project cycles.
7.14 Financing and Costs
For judicious and sustainable funding of the project, monitoring plans for financial and cost
activities may include the following:
• Budgeting and release of funds should meet certain criteria e.g. time frames,
justification etc.
• Review of audit reports
• Disbursement surveys must be conducted among participating farmers periodically.
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7.15 Reporting
For effective coordination of activities and streamlining of activities, reporting plan may include the
following:
• Situational report
• Quarterly report
• Annual report
The attached Appendix ……..provides a checklist summary of indicators for monitoring at
most critical sections of the project at its different stages specifically looking at such issues as
steep slopes and sharp curves, valleys, water courses and low-lying areas susceptible to
erosion / sedimentation respectively.
For a better practical use, the checklist is divided into sections for pre-construction, construction and
post-construction monitoring. It is significant to note that this checklist has been developed with
particular reference to the provisions made in the Special Specifications for the Contractor.
7.16 Implementation Strategy
The implementation programme has been scheduled in order of priority and phased into short,
medium and long term strategies.
7.16.1 Short and Medium Term
1. Strengthening the Crop Protection Unit to take on the larger role of Environmental Occupational
Health and Safety.
2. Training and awareness creation. The objectives of the training shall include:
• Education Farmers Associations and all project implementers on the environmental
management plan and the implementation of the Action Plan;
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TABLE : IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Mitigation Measures
Target/ Objectives
Estimated Budget (¢)
Responsible Institution/
Agency Surface Water Management Air Quality Management Management of Flora and Fauna Management of Socio-economic impacts PMU Occupational Health and Safety Land Management and Soil Erosion Training and Capacity PMU Sustainable forest Plantation
Management CEF
Improved Food Security MAFs Agro processing Chemicals control and Management
Improved Crop Protection and Regulatory Unit
Livestock Management Pricing of Agric Products MFI Rural or Feeder Road Construction Feeder Roads
Dept. Land Acquisition and Siting MAFs/L Public Involvement PMU Project Management Support PMU
MAFs: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
PMU: Project Implementation Unit
CEF: Commission on Environment and Forestry
MTI: Ministry of Trade and Industry
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Annex 1: Stakeholder Consultations As part of the requirement for the preparation of the ESMP, consultations were held with various
stakeholders in Freetown. The limitation of these consultations to Freetown was mainly due to time
constraints and also due to the fact that the proposed activities under the programme are not location
specific.
The objectives of the stakeholder consultations include the following:
��To verify and harmonize information on the proposed project and its perceived impact on the
environment.
��To provide opportunities to the various stakeholders to discuss their opinions and concerns.
��To collate and manage expectations and misconceptions about the project.
��To verify the significance of the environmental, social and health impacts perceived by
stakeholders, and
��To inform the process of developing appropriate mitigation plan.
Stakeholder consultations were held in Freetown between 3rd to 10th November, 2006 with the
following:
1. Hon. Dr. Sama Sahr Monde, minister of Agriculture and Food Security
2. Hon. Dr. Kadie Sesay, Minister of Trade and Industry
3. Dr. James Caesar Boima, Minister of Works, housing and Technical Maintenance
4. Mr. E. K. Alieu, Ag. Director General, Ministry of Agric. and Food Security
5. Mr. Syrin S. Jusu, Ag. Director of Environment
6. Mr. David Fonnier, Director of Feeder Roads
7. Dr. Ibrahim M. O. Shamie, Head, Crop Protection Unit
8. Harold Seesay – I/C Plant Quarantine, Lungi Airport
9. Dr. Aloysius C. Lahai, Asst. FAO Representative
10. Mr. Joseph Koroma, Head of UNIDO Operations
11. Mr. James Sackey, Country Manager, World Bank
Discussions were based on issues enumerated above. As indicated, there was not enough time to
move to the rural areas to consult with the Paramount Chiefs and the citizens about the proposed
project. It is hoped, however that this will be done before the final report is prepared.
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Annex 2: CHECKLIST FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Farm Lands YES NO NOT KNOWN
A: Are there farm lands in the project area
B: Will proposal result in more or improved farm lands
C: Will proposal result in less or damaged farm land
Soil Erosion
A: Will proposal help to prevent soil loss or erosion
B: Will proposal directly cause or worsen soil loss or Erosion C: Could proposal indirectly lead to practices that could cause soil loss or erosion
D Is it necessary to consult a soils scientist?
Slope Erosion
Does proposal involve modification of slopes?
Will proposal affect stability of slopes directly or indirectly?
Could proposal cause people or property to be located where existing unstable slopes could be a hazard?
Is it necessary to consult a geotechnical engineer?
Surface Water Availability
Do surface water resources exist in project area?
Is information available on present and future demands on water resources as a result of the project
Will proposal help to increase or preserve available surface water supplies
Will proposal increase demand or cause loss of available surface water
Is it necessary to consult a hydrologist
Surface Water Quality
Is current data available on existing water quality
Will proposal lead to additional natural or man made discharges into surface water
Will proposal help to improve or protect surface water quality
Could proposal cause deterioration of surface water quality
Is it necessary to consult a water quality expert
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Ground Water Availability
Do ground water resources exist in project area?
Is information available on demands on ground water resource as a result of the project?
Will project help to increase or preserve available ground water supplies?
Will project increase demand or cause loss of available ground water?
Is it necessary to consult hydrologist?
Ground Water Quality
Is information available on present water quality
Will project cause any natural or man-made discharge into ground aquifer
Will project help to improve or protect ground water quality
Could project cause deterioration of ground water quality
Is it necessary to consult a hydrologist
Air Quality
Is information available on existing or air quality?
Will project produce any air emission directly?
Will project help to reduce existing air pollution sources?
Could project lead to practices that worsen air quality
Could project lead to a change in engine or fuel use that could cause serious air problem?
Is it necessary to consult an air quality specialist?
Noise
a. Is noise now a problem in project area ?
b. Will project help in reducing undesirable noise conditions?
c. Will project cause increases in noise generating conditions?
d. Could project cause movements of people to high noise level locations
Aquatic Ecosystems
a. Are there any aquatic ecosystems in the project area such as rivers, streams, lakes or ponds, which might be considered significant?
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significant?
b. Will project affect the use of these systems for human consumption?
Wetland Ecosystems
c. Are there any wetlands ecosystems in the project area such as marsh, swamp, flood plains, or estuary which might be considered significant
d. Will project affect the use or condition of such wetlands
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Are there any terrestrial ecosystem in the project area such as forest, savanna, grassland or desert which might be considered significant
Will project affect the use or condition of such system
Endangered Species
Is the existence of endangered species in the project area known?
Will project affect the habitat of any such species
Migratory Species
Do migratory fish, birds, or mammals use the project area?
a. Will project affect the habitat of such species?
Beneficial Plants
a. Do non-domesticated plants occur in the prayer area which area used or sold by local people?
b. Will project affect these species by reducing their habitat in any way?
Beneficial Animals
a. Do non domesticated animals occur in the project area which area used or sold by local people
b. Will project affect these species by reducing their habitat in any way
Pest (Plants and Animals)
a. Are there currently any problems with pest (plants or animals) in the project area b. Are there any plants or animals in the area which might become pests because of ecological changes brought about by the project?
Will project improve increase he habitat for such species?
Disease Vector
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a. Are there known disease problems in the project area transmitted through sector?
b. Will project increase vector habitat?
c. Will project decrease vector habitat or provide opportunity for control?
d. Are there clinics or other disease control programmes in operation or planned for he area?
e. Is it necessary to consult a public health officer?
Resource / Land Use
a. Are lands in he project area intensively developed?
b. Will project increase pressure on land resources?
c. Will project result in decreased holdings by small land owners?
d. Should a land use planner be used?
Energy Sources
a. Will project increase demand for conventional energy sources?
b. Will project create demand for other energy sources?
Distribution Systems
a. Will project enhance the equitable distribution of agricultural and /or manufactured products?
b. Will project increase demand for certain commodities within or outside he project area?
c. Will project result in decrease in production of certain vital commodities?
Employment
a. Will project increase the rate of employment?
b. Will project remove job opportunities from the area?
At-Risk Population
a. Are the adverse impacts of the project unequally disturbed in the large population?
b. Have the at-risk groups been identified?
Existing Population
a. Are there currently any people living in or near he project area?
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b. Will project affect people in or near the project area?
c. Has liaison been established with the community?
d. Will community participation in projects design and implementation be necessary?
e. Is it necessary to consult a sociologist?
Migrant Populations
a. Are there currently any mobile groups in the target population? b. Will project result in the movement of people in or out of the area?
c. Is it necessary to consult a sociologist?
Cultural and Religious Values
a. Are cultural characteristics unique to the project area understood?
b. Will project adversely affect religious and /or cultural attitudes of area residents?
c. Are there special superstitions or taboos that will affect acceptance of the project?
Tourism and Recreation
a. Is there at present a significant degree of tourism in the area?
b. Is there unexploited tourism or recreation potential in the area?
c. Will project adversely affect existing or potential tourist or recreation attractions?
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SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED IMPACT MAGNITUDE
NO. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT / FACTOR +2 +1 0 -1 -2
1 Farm Lands
2 Soil Erosion
3 Slope Stability
4 Surface Water Quantity
5 Surface Water Quality
6 Ground Water Quantity
7 Ground Water Quality
8 Air Quality
9 Noise
10 Aquatic Ecosystem
11 Wetland Ecosystem
12 Terrestrial Ecosystem
13 Endangered Species
14 Migratory Species
15 Beneficial Plants
16 Beneficial Animals
17 Pests (pants and animals)
18 Disease Vectors
19 Resource Land Use
20 Energy Sources
21 Distribution Systems
22 Employment
23 Air-Risk Population
24 Existing Population
25 Migrant Population
26 Cultural and Religious
27 Tourism and Recreation
Estimated Impact Magnitude -2 -1 0 +1 +2
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