Alhadji Siaka about restoring former rice fields in Moyama, Sierra Leone
In the village of Moyamba in Sierra Leone, Wetlands International is working alongside the local community to restore former rice fields back into thriving mangrove ecosystems. Historically, much of the village’s mangrove area was converted into rice fields and later abandoned. The intense agricultural activity has left the soil severely degraded, transforming it from a soft, muddy substance into a hardened crust with grassy vegetation.
To restore the natural conditions necessary for mangrove regrowth, we are breaking up the hardened top soil and digging channels to restore the water flow, allowing more saltwater to enter and eliminate invasive grasses. There is no need to plant new mangroves as nature is capable of regenerating on its own once the environment is restored.
As part of this restoration effort, a two-day training introduced the community to the Ecological Mangrove Restoration approach. The local groups are very eager to learn, share their own traditional knowledge and are highly supportive of the project. Restoring the mangroves will not only revitalise the ecosystem, but will also support local fishing, farming and daily life for the community.
Listen to Alhadji Siaka, the Project Manager from Wetlands International West Africa in Sierra Leone:
