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By Ben T.C. Brooks
River Gee County, Liberia – April 6, 2026 – The Ministry of Agriculture in River Gee County has concluded Phase II of its Farmer Field School Training of Trainers, marking a key step in strengthening grassroots agricultural capacity.
The weeklong training, which ended on April 4 in Fish-Town, brought together 12 lead farmers—10 men and two women—under the Smallholder Agriculture Development for Food and Nutrition Security (SADFONS) project.
SADFONS is a major agricultural initiative aimed at improving food security, reducing rural poverty, and increasing productivity among smallholder farmers across Liberia. Supported by international partners, including the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project targets more than 11,700 farming households nationwide. Its interventions focus on key value chains, including rice, cassava, and vegetable production.
The Farmer Field School training provided participants with hands-on experience in modern agricultural techniques. Under the Training of Trainers model, selected farmers are equipped with the skills and leadership needed to serve as extension resource persons in their communities.
Sessions were facilitated by SADFONS Project Coordinator Dennis Weagbe, Agronomist Menson Roland Kwanwah, along with county and district agriculture officers. The curriculum covered improved farming practices, including effective planting methods, soil management, and crop substitution strategies aimed at increasing yields and building resilience.
Speaking on behalf of participants at the closing ceremony, lead farmer Beatrice Wesseh expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture, particularly County Agriculture Coordinator Jasper Sheriff Tweh, for the continued support to local farmers.
“Knowledge is power,” Wesseh said, noting that the training represents an important step toward building a more resilient and productive agricultural sector. She called for sustained investment in farmer capacity-building initiatives, emphasizing their potential to boost agricultural output in River Gee County and beyond.
Participants are expected to return to their communities to replicate the training, sharing the knowledge and skills acquired. The peer-to-peer approach is expected to accelerate the adoption of improved farming techniques and strengthen local food systems.
In remarks on behalf of the Ministry, County Agriculture Coordinator Jasper Sheriff Tweh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with farmers to enhance national food production. He also commended district agriculture officers for their role in facilitating the training.
With the completion of Phase II, the trained farmers are expected to serve as catalysts for expanding access to modern agricultural practices and supporting sustainable development at the community level.
The initiative underscores Liberia’s broader efforts to revitalize its agricultural sector by empowering farmers as key drivers of economic growth, food security, and long-term sustainability.
