Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By Ishmael F. Menkor
The Liberia Rural Women Network for Empowerment (LRWNE), winner of the Best Agriculture Innovator Award at the 2025 National Agriculture Fair, has called for increased financial and market support to enable large-scale honey production and expansion into export markets.
The women-led farming group received the award for showcasing what judges described as the best-packaged honey at the national fair. The recognition highlights the group’s growing role in value addition, climate-smart agriculture, and rural livelihoods.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer following the award presentation, LRWNE Project Officer Mr. David Mankarkpor said the organization has the technical capacity and human resources to significantly scale up honey production if adequately supported.
“We have the capacity to do much more and supply honey across the entire country once we receive the necessary financial support,” Mr. Mankarkpor said. “We are looking up to our partners, especially the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), for bigger opportunities and access to markets so that we can eventually export Liberian honey.”
According to him, LRWNE is engaged in multiple agricultural value chains, including honey production, rice cultivation, snail breeding, and other income-generating activities aimed at empowering rural women and improving household incomes.
Responding to questions about the group’s production capacity, Mr. Mankarkpor disclosed that during the last harvest season, LRWNE produced approximately 150 gallons of honey. He said ongoing efforts to recruit and train additional beekeepers are expected to significantly increase output in the coming season.
“Last year, we harvested about 150 gallons of honey. With the recruitment of new beekeepers and additional support, we are confident that we can produce up to 500 gallons of honey in the next harvest season,” he explained.
Mr. Mankarkpor further emphasized that LRWNE’s activities are aligned with sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices, particularly under the FAO-supported Farm and Forest Facility (FFF). He noted that beekeeping plays a critical role in forest conservation and environmental protection.
“Beekeeping is part of climate-resilient agriculture. It encourages the protection of our forests because healthy forests are essential for honey production,” he said.
In addition to honey production, the organization also runs a snail breeding program funded by the FAO through the Farm and Forest Facility. While the program is expanding, Mr. Mankarkpor said LRWNE did not showcase snail products at this year’s fair.
He expressed optimism that with sustained support, LRWNE could further diversify its products, create more jobs for rural women, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s agricultural transformation agenda.
