Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By LAEJN Editorial Team
A Growing Enterprise Constrained by Manual Processing
Just a few years ago, Falama Incorporated faced binding production constraints that limited its ability to meet market demand, add value to cassava, and create jobs. Manual processing, high energy costs, and unreliable drying methods reduced efficiency and increased losses. Through targeted investments under the Government of Liberia and World Bank–funded Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), the enterprise has transitioned into a modern agro-processing operation, improving productivity, product quality, and market access for both the firm and its smallholder suppliers.
“Everything was manual starch production, sieving, and packaging,” recalled CEO Angie M. Howard “We were working hard, but our capacity was very limited.”
Today, Falama has become a stronger, more efficient agro-processing enterprise through targeted support from the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), a World Bank–funded project implemented by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture.
“RETRAP came at the time we needed help the most,” Madam Hawa said. “We are grateful to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Liberia for their support.”
Madam Angie M. Howard disclosed that before RETRAP’s intervention, Falama Incorporated faced significant production challenges resulting in slow output, inconsistent product quality, and high labor costs.
“RETRAP’s support brought a package of modern interventions that directly addressed these bottlenecks and positioned Falama for growth. One of the most transformative investments is the new training and resource center, now nearing completion. Previously, farmer meetings were held under makeshift Palava huts. The new center provides a dedicated space for training farmers in processing techniques, quality control, and good agricultural practices. It also serves as an information hub where farmers can seek guidance on pests, diseases, improved varieties, and other production challenges, with referrals provided to CARI or the Ministry of Agriculture when needed.”, Madam Howard beams and optimism while sharing RETRAP impact.
According to Falama CEO, RETRAP’s support addressed these constraints through a package of targeted investments designed to improve efficiency and resilience. Key interventions included the installation of modern starch processing equipment, a high-capacity packaging machine, and a charcoal-powered cabinet dryer. Together, these investments reduced labor intensity, improved product consistency, and enabled year-round production despite seasonal weather constraints.
She emphasized that these interventions have cut production costs, improved product hygiene and consistency, and enabled Falama to shift from small manual batches to reliable, high-volume processing. With the new equipment, Falama now produces neatly sealed, market-ready items such as its flagship “Brain” cereal—a nutritious blend of farina, milk, sugar, coconut, and vitamin A—alongside other popular products including dipa, cassava flour, plantain flour (Gwei), and fufu powder
The starch processing machine now performs grinding, extraction, and filtration in a single process, producing higher-quality starch at greater speed. Automated packaging has improved hygiene and standardization, while the charcoal-powered dryer has reduced reliance on generators and stabilized production during the rainy season.
160 Farmers Linked to a Reliable Market
Beyond factory-level improvements, RETRAP’s intervention strengthened Falama’s upstream supply chain by linking the processor to a reliable network of smallholder cassava farmers. Before this support, farmers often produced cassava without guaranteed buyers, faced post-harvest losses, and struggled to access improved planting materials. Today, Falama serves as a dependable off-taker, providing consistent demand for fresh cassava and stimulating rural economic activity.
According to the CEO, Falama now sources cassava from approximately 160 farmers, including over 20 core suppliers. Many of these farmers participate in RETRAP or Ministry of Agriculture programs, which provide improved planting materials, agronomic training, and extension support.
With improved market access and better cassava varieties, many smallholder farmers have expanded their farms and increased production. This marks a sharp contrast to a few years ago, when Falama’s production and market absorption capacity were very limited before the RETRAP intervention.
“Falama has also introduced an innovative approach to increase farmers’ income by encouraging them to peel and wash cassava before delivery, a service for which they are paid additional compensation. This not only boosts farmers’ earnings but also reduces the factory’s workload and improves processing efficiency. We have integrated these smallholders directly into the value chain and rewarded them for added value. Falama is helping to create more inclusive and profitable rural livelihoods.”
To safeguard its supply chain from disruptions such as bad weather, delayed harvests, or emergencies, Falama maintains its own small demonstration farm. This farm acts as a buffer, ensuring steady production even when the external supply temporarily drops. It also serves as a training and demonstration site where farmers can observe improved planting techniques, optimal spacing, and best practices for managing industrial cassava varieties.
Through these combined efforts, Falama has built a reliable, resilient, and mutually beneficial supply network. Farmers gain a stable market, higher income, technical support, and access to improved varieties, while Falama secures a continuous flow of quality raw materials necessary for its expanding production. This strengthened farmer–processor relationship demonstrates how targeted agricultural investments can empower rural communities and promote sustainable value chain development.
Increased Production, Jobs, and Market Presence
With expanded capacity, Falama now processes up to two metric tons of cassava per hour and produces an estimated 30–35 metric tons of value-added products monthly. The enterprise employs 8–10 permanent staff and hosts interns from the Booker Washington Institute, contributing to skills development in agro-processing and quality control.
Falama has invested US$122,000 in upgraded machinery and infrastructure, showing its commitment to expansion and modernization. The company has also boosted its market presence through its retail outlet, The Creative Marketplace for Made in Liberia Products. The kiosk features Falama’s cassava-based products and promotes other local agro-food brands, helping build consumer appreciation for Liberian value-added.
Madam Angie Howard sees the current RETRAP investment as a pathway to a stronger and more competitive agro-processing sector in Liberia. She envisions small-scale processors, especially women-led enterprises, thriving with the right support systems. She believes Liberia has the raw materials and entrepreneurial spirit to build a value-added industry but stresses that sustained investment and technical assistance are needed to unlock this potential.
“Our dream is to provide affordable, available food for the Liberian market and eventually export to other countries,” she explained. “If the Standards Authority works with us, we can move to the international market.”
For Falama, exporting goes beyond profit. It is a way to promote Made-in-Liberia products, highlight local innovation, and show the country’s ability to compete regionally and globally. The company is preparing for this phase by working with the Liberia Standards Authority to meet certification requirements and improve packaging, labeling, and quality standards.
Reflecting on her experience as a RETRAP beneficiary, Madam Howard emphasized the importance of agricultural projects with clear timelines. She recommends more time for construction, equipment installation, training, and system adjustments, especially for infrastructure-heavy projects. She also recommended a stronger early orientation to help beneficiaries manage reporting, compliance, and procurement.
Falama Incorporated illustrates how targeted investments in agro-processing can strengthen local food systems, create jobs, and improve smallholder livelihoods. By combining modern equipment, farmer linkages, and technical support, RETRAP has enabled the enterprise to scale sustainably and serve as a replicable model for value-chain development in Liberia.
