By the SC UK Liberia Food Security and
Livelihoods Programme
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Objectives
Methodology
THE SMALL SCALE PRIVATE RUBBER ECONOMY
Seasonality
Socio-Economic Groups
Sources of income
Sources of food
Expenditure
Discussion
Annex 1: Counties and towns visited by the assessment team:
INTRODUCTION
This report describes the livelihoods of small - scale private rubber producers in Bomi, Bong, and Margibi Counties, Liberia1. In 1998, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs estimated that the total population of these counties was 1,822,000. Since then however there has been population movement in and out of the counties due to the ongoing insecurity therefore without a census it is not possible to give accurate population figures. The Save the Children (SC-UK) Liberia Food Security and Livelihoods Programme carried out the fieldwork for this assessment in September - October 2001, and the analysis period is September 2000 - September 2001. The Household Economy Approach (HEA) methodology was used. The fieldwork and the data analysis were used for training and capacity building of SC-UK staff.
The team was unable to fully cross check information due to insecurity and mass population movement in the assessment areas. Therefore, the data were extrapolated to reach a logical conclusion of the analysis. Under normal circumstances, the results would have been discussed with representatives of the communities in order to come up with some recommendations. Due to the insecurity this was not possible therefore the discussion section does not make firm recommendations, but points to potential areas of concern. As it stands, the report provides a useful situation analysis for SC- UK and partners, to provide a context for programme planning.
Objectives
This assessment concentrated on the below listed objectives:
- To define and characterise small-scale
private rubber production areas in Margibi, Bong, and Bomi Counties - Liberia.
- To identify and characterise the main
wealth groups and the strategies normally used to access food and income,
with some consideration of essential expenditure patterns.
- To describe coping strategies and therefore identify constraints to food and livelihood security at households level.
Methodology
The team used the Household Economy Approach (HEA) methodology. This is a framework developed by SC-UK for analysing household food security. A particular focus is on the various options and strategies that people employ to secure access to food, cash and how they use their income and resources. First of all, the food economy is defined. This is a population that uses similar options to obtain their food and cash income and which is therefore vulnerable to similar risks. Within the food economy, the population is classified according to wealth groups to take into account the heterogeneity within any population and that ability to access livelihood options is usually linked to socio-economic status. For typical households within each socio-economic group, this approach explores the sources of food and income that households rely on, their relative importance, and the extent to which they can be expanded in times of crisis. HEA therefore explains why some households are more vulnerable to shocks to their livelihoods than others. Tools and techniques from Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) were also used to complement the HEA methodology. Information was obtained through semi-structured interviews with key informants2 and focus groups as detailed in annexe 1.
THE SMALL SCALE PRIVATE RUBBER ECONOMY
Households within this economy are mainly from the Bassa, Kpelle, Gola, and Vai ethnic groups, with some displaced people from Lofa and Gbarpolu Counties, and a few Sierra Leonean refugees who have integrated into the Liberian communities in Bomi, Bong and Margibi Counties (please see map on page 1)
These households make their living mainly through processing and selling rubber, with some labour contracts and agriculture farming. People get money from tapping rubber trees, under brushing and processing rubber for farm owners and administrators. Poorer households work for wealthier households by preparing land to plant cassava and rice for others. They also sell palm oil, which they produce themselves from wild palm nuts. Households in this economy grow vegetables such as chilli pepper, greens, bitter balls and eggplants etc, on small-scale mainly for their consumption. Children help their parents to do labour contracts especially at the times when it is difficult to make ends meet.
Key informants said many rubber trees in the area have aged and do not produce enough latex. Before the war, Firestone Plantation, Goodridge (now Guthrie) and the World Bank project for rubber development supported many of these farms with material and technical assistance. Then during the war of the 90s, many of the trees were ruined. After the war Firestone assisted some farmers to rehabilitate their trees. Those trees that were not rehabilitated are currently being over-milked to increase latex production or are turned into charcoal for fast money.
To own substantial land one must have rapport through tribal connections or money. There is normally free tribal-land for households to cultivate only food crops particularly rice and cassava. Most of the land with rubber was inherited from families or bought from tribal elders and administrators who decide land issues. Wealthier families in the small-scale private rubber areas normally own and control most of the land, and they employ their poorer neighbours to work for them.
In this economy people especially from the poorer households work and socialise through the Kuu system. This system comprises of working groups of men and boys, or women and girls (in single-sex groups) who reciprocate agricultural labour. The Kuu usually starts at the beginning of the farming season. Different members of the households join the kuu to help them carry out their farming activities fast. However, poorer households may sell some of their kuu slots when they are in need of money.
Seasonality
Rubber is produced throughout the year. However, the levels of production change according to periods that farmers refer to as low peak, medium peak and high peak. The low peak is November -February when all the leaves fall and the trees usually produce about half the maximum production level. During the low peak poor households may have to wait up to six weeks to get enough rubber to sell rather than the four weeks during the high peak season. July - October is the medium peak when frequent rains may disturb or stop tapping of rubber. The high peak is March - June.
The following calendar shows how activities change throughout the year. Activities are dictated by whether or not it is raining. Key informants repeatedly said that the hardest time of the year, known as the hunger period, is during the months of July to September inclusive. For poorer households this hard time may even start in mid-June. The hunger period coincides with the end of the rice stock from the harvest, when people rely more on market purchase for their food.
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Footnotes:
1 This text has been drafted with financial assistance from the Commission of the European Communities. The views expressed herein are those of Save the Children (UK) and therefore in no way reflect the official opinion of the Commission.
2 Key informants are knowledgeable people who can provide information about the area studied. They include local groups, authorities, NGOs, technicians, elders and traditional chiefs.