By: Christian Alpha Conte
Farmers from the Eastern District of Kono in Sierra Leone have reported the invasion of their farms by buffalos from neighbouring Guinea, a situation which they say has the potential of adversely affecting this year’s crop yield in that part of the country.
Mrs. Finda Satta Komba, the wife of Paramount Chief Sahr Edward Mbawa III, is one of the affected farmers. She said the buffalos have trampled on and eaten a large stretch of her 53-acre rice plantation.
“The animals are huge, they are twice the size of a full-grown cow, and they are very dangerous,” said Mrs. Satta Komba.
She appealed for the intervention of the government to help permanently address what she described as a worrying situation.
“These animals destroy our crops and eat the rice plants so we want to appeal to the government to provide us with specialised security. I have personally employed two specialised hunters who have licensed guns and are knowledgeable about traps to catch the buffalos,” Mrs. Satta Komba said.
Buffalos are large ox-like animals with horns and shaggy fur. In other countries, this huge beast (Buffalo) plays a pivotal role in the agricultural economy. Among farm livestock, the animal is increasingly recognised as an animal for milk and meat. It is also considered one of the best draught animals for field operations.
Despite its significant contribution as a multipurpose animal its wild nature has affected its domestication in Sierra Leone.
In other countries, buffalos play a pivotal role in the agricultural economy.
Sahr Charles is Chairman Gbane Kandor Chiefdom Youth Council. Speaking from the Chiefdom Youth Farm he confirmed that they have also been affected by the Buffalo invasion. He, however, noted that there is nothing they can do about it but appeal to the government to help before things get out of hand.
The farmers who work on the farm on a daily basic lamented that despite their efforts to seek help from stakeholders in the district no meaningful help has been forthcoming. They said residents within the vicinity are sometimes scared to go about their activities freely, for fear of having an encounter with the buffalos.
One of the farmers revealed that not long ago the trap set by the hunters caught one of the buffalos. When the meat was sold he confirmed that the revenue raised was about six million Leones, which is about $650.
Meanwhile, lack of adequate seeds, fertilisers, and herbicides are among key challenges farmers in that part of the country continue to struggle with.
