THE ECONOMICS OF MECHANICAL CULTIVATION OF RICE LANDS IN SIERRA LEONE

The Problem The existence of a Mechanical Cultivation Scheme for the past 20 years in Sierra Leone has not enabled that country to increase rice production enough to eliminate imports of rice, nor has it had the effect of materially reducing the costs of production. The success of mechanization in many other countries at least suggests that some factors are operating in them which, up to this time, have not been achieved in Sierra Leone. The purpose of this investigation is to carefully study the Mechanical Cultivation Scheme and attempt to develop ways in which use of mechanical power can contribute more fully to increasing rice production arid lowering the unit costs of production. The Significance to Sierra Leone Among many West African countries Sierra Leone is conspicuous for its dependence on rice as the most important staple cereal crop in the diet of the people. Rice consumption per capita in the country is one of the highest in the world; rice provides almost one-half of the calories in the diet of 1 2 the people; 86.3 percent of the farmers grow rice. For the Pauline Whitby, "Food Consumption, Nutrition and Demand Projection,” unpublished working paper, UNDP/FAO Project IDAS, 1968, p. 21. 2 Agricultural Statistical Survey of Sierra Leone 1965/66, Central Statistics Office, Freetown, March 1967, p. 13.2 years 1950 to 1968 inclusive, paddy rice accounted for 90 peri 3 cent of the total production of all cereals in the country. Between 1954/55 and 1964/65, rice accounted for between 35 and 43 percent of the total value of agricultural production^ and is the most important crop entering commercial trade, making 5 up 30 percent of farm sales. In recent years the country has had difficulty meeting its domestic needs, and substantial imports have been necessary. However, there is potential for increased production of rice. Upland rice cultivation, although more widespread and long established, has failed to produce yields of sufficient magnitude to satisfy domestic demand. Indeed, the yields have been quite low even in the best areas, amounting to just 850 pounds per acre, while the swamp rice was yielding between 740 and 1,800 pounds per acre.