By Bill W. Cooper
The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and partners have brought immense joy to local farmers in several counties across the country, following their grant interventions in support of the government’s vision to rehabilitate Liberia’s Agriculture sector.
These views are made known on an ongoing media tour with the MOA in some projects counties including Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Margibi, Bomi, Grand Bassa and Montserrado.
However, the intervention by the MoA and partners is under its Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR- P) and Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP).
The joint effort by the MoA and partners has since yielding serious positive results, revolutionizing the agricultural sector in these regions and significantly impacting the lives of those involved.
STAR-P and RETRAP are supported by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), as through this collaboration, farmers across Liberia have witnessed remarkable improvements in their livelihoods, prompting smiles to grace their faces.
With funding from IFAD, the STAR Project is focused on providing agricultural financing, institutional capacity building, enabling environment for farmers, agribusinesses, state, and non-state actors, as well as enhancing productivity and competitiveness.
While RETRAP project, also funded by the World Bank, seeks to develop or enhance competitiveness and market access through productive alliances, as well as strengthening Agri-marketing and engaging in road infrastructure investments.
Both STAR-P and RETRAP are being implemented across the 15 counties with a combined target of 98,000 beneficiaries in the cassava, oil palm, rice, rubber, piggery, poultry, and vegetable and rice value chains.
One of the key focuses has been on providing farmers with access to quality seeds, modern farming techniques, and necessary resources, equipping them with the right tools and knowledge, aimed to optimize their productivity and increase their crop yields.
Over 125 smallholder farmers and agribusinesses have so far been approved for grants, under its Liberia Agriculture Commercialization Fund (LACF) which has been set up under component two of both projects, to ensure that smallholder farmers and other members of the value chains increase agricultural productivity and commercialization.
During the tour which our reporter is part off, several local farmers in a jubilant and joyous move expressed their gratitude towards the government for providing them with much-needed grants to support their agricultural activities.
The farmers, who have been struggling to make ends meet due to various challenges, further hailed the government’s initiative as a step in the right direction towards achieving food security in the country.
Speaking to reporters, one of the farmers who happens to be the Manager of the Makona Farm, Saah Bundoo, said, “We are extremely grateful to the government for providing us with these grants.”
“Because with this support, we are now able to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs that we need to improve our yields. This will not only benefit us as farmers but will also contribute to the overall food security of Liberia,” he noted.
He said the grants, given by the MOA and partners are part of the government’s efforts to boost agricultural production in the country as these funds which is also in kind is to help small-scale farmers to increase their productivity and income, reducing dependence on food imports.
Also, the project officer of the Mayor River Women Initiative Cooperative Society, Paul Tengbeh, on behalf of the ladies expressed their appreciation for the government’s support, which he said has drastically improved their faming activities in the county.
He maintained, “This grant has come at a crucial time for us. With the rising cost of living, many of us have been struggling to make ends meet. But with this support from the government especially this administration whose focus is also Agriculture, we are now on course to feeding ourselves and Liberia.”
The farmers, at the same time, also commended the government for its commitment to improving the agricultural sector in the country and noted that initiatives such as the distribution of grants, training programs, provision of equipment and extension services have helped them to adopt modern farming techniques and increase their productivity.
Also spoken to was the MOA Lofa County Focal Person, Levi D. Kpenkpa, who reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting small-scale farmers in Lofa and other counties across the country.
He emphasized, “Our farmers are the backbone of our economy, and we are committed to providing them with the necessary support to improve their livelihoods. The grants that we have distributed are just the beginning of our efforts to transform the agricultural sector in Liberia.”
Kpenkpa further emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, farmers, and other stakeholders to achieve sustainable food security as well as enhance agricultural productivity in the country.
Meanwhile, as the farmers continue to work hard to improve their yields and contribute to the country’s food security, they are hopeful that the government will continue to support them in their efforts.
With the right support and resources, they believe that Liberia can become a self-sufficient and food-secure nation in the near future as well as cutting down the importation of rice which Liberia staple food by 80 percent in the not too far distance future.
