Linking agriculture to tourism in Sierra Leone - a preliminary research

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

1.2 CONCEPTS: CSR AND PRO-POOR TOURISM APPROACH

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 TOURISM AS A POVERTY ALLEVIATION TOOL

2.1.1 Pro-poor tourism strategies

2.1.2 Pro-poor critical factors

2.2 TOURISM-AGRICULTURE LINKAGES

2.2.1 Demand related factors

2.2.2 Supply related factors

2.2.3 Marketing and intermediary factors

2.3 CASE STUDY GAMBIA IS GOOD

2.3.1 Area and Context

2.3.2 Tourism in The Gambia

2.3.3 Background and details of the PPT initiative

2.3.4 Pro-poor focused actions

2.3.5 Specific actions to involve the poor or address barriers to participation

2.3.6 Implementation and Impacts

2.3.7 Identifying impacts on poor people

2.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 THE SUB-SECTOR FRAMEWORK

3.2 SUB-SECTOR APPROACH

4 SIERRA LEONE – BACKGROUND INFORMATION

4.1 GEOGRAPHY AND ECONOMY

4.2 TOURISM SECTOR

4.2.1 Instability & Demand

4.2.2 Tourism Infrastructure

4.2.3 Tourism in Poverty Reduction Strategies in Sierra Leone

5 FINDINGS

5.1 PERI- URBAN AGRICULTURE SUB-SECTOR

5.1.1 Demand

5.1.2 Peri-urban Farming

5.1.3 Marketing

5.2 LOBSTERS EXPORT AGENT

5.2.1 Demand

5.2.2 Production

5.2.3 Marketing

5.3 SUPPORT SERVICES

5.3.1 Extension Services

5.3.2 Financial Services

5.3.3 Transportation

5.3.4 Destination Management & Marketing

5.3.5 Education

6 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 CONCLUSIONS

6.1.1 Methodology

6.1.2 Main objective of this thesis

6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

6.2.1 Research on food consumption

6.2.2 Implementation “Market Linkages Training Program for Sierra Leone”

6.2.3 Sustainable Lobsters Export and Fishery in Sierra Leone

Research Objective and Core Themes

This master thesis aims at clarifying if and how fostering backward-linkages between tourism and agriculture, as a pro-poor tourism strategy and an approach to enhance destination competitiveness, serves as a viable tool for poverty reduction in developing countries, particularly in Sierra Leone.

• Pro-poor tourism strategies for poverty reduction in developing countries
• Backward-linkages between the tourism industry and local agricultural producers
• Analysis of the tourism sector and market constraints in Sierra Leone
• Case study of "Gambia is Good" as a model for agri-tourism supply chain integration
• Integration of the informal sector into mainstream tourism market segments

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the research context, focusing on the collaboration with FIAS/DFID to identify policies that increase competitiveness in key sectors like tourism, and defines the research scope for fostering fair backward-linkages in Sierra Leone.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter provides the theoretical foundation for pro-poor tourism, detailing strategies for economic and non-economic impacts, and analyzes factors influencing tourism-agriculture linkages through a case study of the initiative "Gambia is Good".

3 METHODOLOGY: This chapter introduces the sub-sector framework and the rapid market appraisal approach used to conduct field research in Freetown, focusing on identifying markets, participants, and barriers to effective supply chain linkages.

4 SIERRA LEONE – BACKGROUND INFORMATION: This chapter provides a socio-political and economic context of Sierra Leone, highlighting the country's dependence on foreign aid, the declining state of the tourism sector, and its relevance to poverty reduction strategies.

5 FINDINGS: This chapter presents the empirical results of the study, mapping the supply chains for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (FFV) and lobsters, and identifying the constraints and opportunities within these sub-sectors and support services.

6 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS: This chapter synthesizes the research findings, concluding that a pro-poor tourism strategy is currently not viable in Sierra Leone due to the lack of a mature industry, and offers recommendations for future research on food consumption and pilot training programs.

Keywords

Pro-poor tourism, agriculture linkages, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, poverty reduction, food supply chain, small-scale farmers, tourism competitiveness, market access, informal sector, value-added agriculture, sustainable tourism, agri-tourism, stakeholder coordination, foreign aid dependency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The research evaluates the viability of fostering backward-linkages between the tourism industry and local agriculture as a pro-poor strategy for poverty reduction, with a specific focus on the context of Sierra Leone.

What are the primary thematic areas explored?

The work covers pro-poor tourism strategies, the practical challenges of integrating small-scale farmers into tourism supply chains, the impact of political and economic instability on tourism development, and the potential of specific agri-tourism initiatives.

What is the primary objective of this thesis?

The thesis aims to determine if and how linkages between agriculture and tourism can enhance destination competitiveness and contribute to poverty reduction in developing countries, while assessing if models like "Gambia is Good" are replicable in the Sierra Leonean context.

Which research methodology does the author employ?

The author uses the sub-sector analysis framework combined with rapid market appraisal techniques, including semi-structured interviews with hotel and restaurant managers, as well as field visits to agricultural sites.

What topics are covered in the main section of the thesis?

The main part of the work provides an overview of Sierra Leone’s background, maps the supply chains for fresh fruits, vegetables, and lobsters, and identifies the operational constraints and potential opportunities within these sub-sectors.

Which keywords define this work?

Key terms include pro-poor tourism, agricultural linkages, Sierra Leone, poverty reduction, supply chain integration, smallholder farmers, and the informal economy.

Why is the "Gambia is Good" case study significant?

It serves as a benchmark for a successful, market-led initiative that connects small-scale female farmers with high-end tourism markets, providing a practical example of how to overcome logistical and quality-standard barriers.

What does the author conclude about the current state of tourism in Sierra Leone?

The author concludes that tourism in Sierra Leone is currently in its infancy and plagued by political instability and infrastructure deficiencies, making a full-scale pro-poor tourism strategy premature without first stabilizing the sector.

What specific recommendations does the author make for Sierra Leone?

The author recommends prioritizing infrastructure rehabilitation, conducting comprehensive research into consumer food consumption patterns, and implementing a pilot "Market Linkages Training Program" with a small group of committed, enthusiastic farmers before expanding further.