“Master Farmer” of Mano

Thursday, June 9

Just before the crossroads linking the main road and the narrow one converted from train tracks, A.C. proudly cares for his livelihood in the small town of Mano—a herd of 50 goats.

Abdulai Conteh (A.C.) raises his goats in the traditional extensive management system, but takes it to the next level. Providing shelter at night and keeping detailed records is not the norm, but these practices have proved vital to his success.

Small ruminants (sheep and goats) are raised in almost all villages in rural Sierra Leone, but herd size per household are usually two to 10. Passing through villages it is very common to see goats and sheep roaming free and grazing. At this time in the rainy season, forages are plentiful. These animals have the unique ability to convert otherwise poor land into good quality protein food. The West African Dwarf sheep and goat (what we know of as pygmy goats) are the perfect size to slaughter and consume in a relatively short time, considering refrigeration is scarce. Not only are they important to food security, small ruminants contribute to Sierra Leonean customs and traditions.

A.C. showed Emkay, a fourth year animal science student, and I his farm starting with an old building built when the Lebanese still ruled the area. In the back of this barn-like structure, A.C. invites his herd each night to drink water and sleep in the shelter—a fairly uncommon practice in Sierra Leone. So, at 11 a.m. each morning to make sure they are hungry, A.C. lets the goats and sheep. They return again at the end of the day ready for their comfortable stay. Also uncommon is the fact that he identifies each animal with a name and records performance and treatment data.

A.C. showing off his herd in front of his old Lebanese building.

Because of his good management practices, A.C. built his herd from the gift of one goat, Jatu, and Mariblankole, a sheep he purchased for Le255,000 (roughly $60). From that one goat his herd grew and he is now able to support his eight children in secondary school and even fund a new building for his farm. I’m invited to return one day early in the morning to meet his herd—as they were out for the day grazing. Hopefully I can better communicate with him…I must practice my Krio.

The new building built from his profit.

The experience of getting to Mano is something to note as well. Emkay has a motorcycle, and it seems to be one of the best ways to get around Njala Campus and to the surrounding villages. This was the first time to leave Njala since arriving, and I was ready to see the countryside. The road there was rough from erosion and paved-road leftovers. As we drove through a few villages, I saw more mud-brick homes and people carrying on their typical day. Women carried water and other goods on their heads, men were working the land, or all were taking breaks from the hot sunny day. The kids often waved, smiled and yelled at me “pu mui” or “white man.” The view beyond the villages was like a jungle…vegetation of all shapes and sizes. Some small patches were slashed and burned for growing rice, which is still done solely by manual labor. Going over a colonial bridge I caught a glimpse of old pipes that used to supply water from Mano to Njala, but was destroyed during the war. We stopped along the way to purchase mangos from little old women…some of the last of the season. I practiced some Mende!

Top: Visiting an old train bridge converted for vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Bottom: Old pipes no longer in use post-war.

Top: The eroded road entering Mano.
Bottom: The small hut we purchased mangos from.

The little outing was a success, even with my new sunburn. It was an honor to talk to a “master farmer” and learn simple ways to successfully raise small ruminants in Sierra Leone.

Joyful Journeys!

Julie