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By: Richard Williams/0775339618/ 0881084573/[email protected]
Tubmanburg, Bomi County: In a bid to bolster food production and foster sustainable development, Bomi County in western Liberia has embarked on an agriculture initiative known as the Bomi Agriculture Program (BAP) 2025. Covering five administrative districts, each district has committed to dedicating one hundred hectares of farmland annually to this project.
Aligned with Liberia’s national agenda for sustainable development, the BAP 2025 is a strategic effort crafted by local officials to elevate agricultural output across the county. Speaking on the initiative, Bomi Administrative Officer Alphonso Sherman emphasized its pivotal role in achieving local food self-sufficiency goals. “This five-year plan is crucial for our county’s journey towards food security,” Sherman stated.
Funding for the initiative primarily stems from the county’s social development fund, supplemented by generous contributions from civic-minded citizens, as demonstrated during a recent fundraising rally. Sherman highlighted the district-specific agricultural focuses under the BAP 2025, with Dewien prioritizing rice and cassava, Suehn Mecca concentrating on rice production, Senjeh diversifying into rice and piggery, Klay engaging in rice and fish farming, and Tehr exploring rice cultivation alongside other crops.
Recently, the county’s efforts were further boosted by the launch of a US $250,000 agricultural project, a collaboration between the Office of the County Superintendent and local farmers aimed at unlocking Bomi’s agricultural potential. At the inaugural BAP 2025 event, the agriculture committee successfully raised US $4,137 and L$74,240 in cash, alongside receiving two motorbikes to facilitate immediate project commencement.
Sherman underscored the initiative’s significance in fostering local agricultural autonomy, stressing, “Bomi County must strengthen its agricultural capacity to meet our own food needs.” He called upon all stakeholders to join hands in realizing this vision, emphasizing the pivotal role of community-wide participation in bridging Liberia’s food deficit.
Acknowledging the challenges confronting Liberia’s agricultural sector, including climate variability and economic constraints, local officials remain optimistic. Through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts involving government, partners, and citizens alike, Bomi County envisions a revitalized agricultural sector poised to drive national development goals forward.
The launch of the BAP 2025 marks a significant stride towards transforming Bomi County into a bastion of agricultural productivity, promising sustainable food security and economic empowerment for its citizens.
