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By: Wilmot Konah
As the need for Liberia to feed itself continues to intensify, a smallholder farming group in Bong County has embarked on the cultivation of over 20 hectares of lowland in rice production
The Kelekula Da-Welekema Agriculture Group says it has reached a memorandum of understanding with the management of Yarvee Farm formerly Taylor’s Farm in Melekie Town Bong County to produce rice from their lowland rice field. The group goal is to grow and distribute 25 tons of rice in the Liberian market aimed at addressing food insecurity.
Currently, the group has cultivated over six hectares of its targeted 20 hectares of lowland rice farming.
According to James P. Yarkpawolo, President of the Kelekula Da-Welekema Agriculture Group, they are not only involved with rice production but they are also into vegetables and livestock development.
Yarkpawolo maintained that they are not getting much yield from their farm due to the lack of sufficient agricultural implements. He lamented that as a community-based smallholder farming group, they do not have the financial capacity to procure modern agriculture equipment such as rice mills, and tractors among others. He explained that local tools such as cutlasses, hoes, and shovels are materials they use for cultivation.
“We need lots of agricultural encouragement in this Country. We need machines like rice mills, and harvesters, including storage capacity. Moreover, we even need local tools such as cutlasses, shovels, hoes, and wheelbarrows. We don’t have rain gear for protection when the rain is falling” Yarkpawolo disclosed.
The Kelekula Da-Welekema Agriculture Group executive believes they can augment the government in reducing rice importation by supplying rice to Melekie and Surrounding communities in Bong County if they are empowered.
“We want to feed Melekie. Our target is to make sure we help the government in curving the increment of rice importation. Our Country is spending millions of dollars every year on importing rice; our staple food. Liberia is too old for that” James P. Yarkpawolo asserted.
He however called on the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture to support smallholder farmers across Liberia to bolster food productivity and ensure the eradication of food insecurity.
The Kelekula Da-Welekema Agriculture Group has been producing rice, vegetables, and livestock including financial empowerment for its members since 2005 but lacks sufficient materials to fast-track its production. With Its current target of producing over 25 tons of rice in Liberia this year, the smallholder farmers have brought to light memories of the famous Taylor’s Farm (one of many farms initiated by ex-President Charles Taylor) in Bong County.
In August 2024, Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah; who is also a native of Bong County expressed dissatisfaction in what he termed as the slow pace of farming activities in the County.
According to Dr. Nuetah, Bong, Nimba, and Lofa were considered as the bread baskets of Liberia but Bong County has not done much in recent times to maintain its status amongst the three counties.
The statement has been greeted with implementation by farmers in Bong County. Agriculture reporters in the County have observed the formulation of community-based agricultural groups and cooperatives aimed at increasing food production in the county.
The Kelekula Da-Welekema Agriculture Group is among many groups who welcomed the Minister’s assertion and took it as a challenge.
