By Nasratu Kargbo
The Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the National Disaster Management Agency, Abu Bakarr Bangura says climate change is immensely affecting agriculture in the country.
Bangura who was speaking at an inception meeting with key stakeholders on livelihood and environmental protection, called by Focus 1000 on the 8th of September 2022 said it is no secret that the country has been experiencing flooding lately, thereby adversely affecting farming in areas like Makalie, and Moyamba. He said the rice farming settlement of Tormabum has been flooded, and farmhouses in other places destroyed.
The Director further explained that before now they used to harvest groundnut twice a year, but is no more possible due to a drop in rainfall that has attracted ants that destroy the crop.
He mentioned a friend’s experience who found his groundnut farm flooded and that if the water does not dry up the groundnut will rot.
Bangura explained that they intend to work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Environment, and the Sierra Leone Metrological Office (SLMeT) to advise farmers on when and how to farm to avoid disasters that may follow, especially with them sometimes getting loans for their farming activities.
Addressing market women who were also presented at the gathering, Bangura said NDMA would have to engage them to understand how they can ensure that their businesses are safe.
He expressed the agency’s interest to work with the “Kombra Network” to reach market women as a quick means of disseminating information. He expressed appreciation to Focus 1000, noting that the network will be instrumental in updating them on disaster issues around the country.
The director explained that their institution which is charged with the responsibility of responding to all disasters across the country also helps build the capacities of the people affected.
A representative from Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat Bernadette Alieu explained that the Tormabum Rice project was stalled due to heavy rains, with workers unable to do the weeding.
She narrated how natural disasters have reversed the gains that have been made in the area of food security.
Alieu said that one of their organization’s objectives is to ensure that women and children are food secure and healthy.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online
