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Ben TC Brooks, bentcbrooks04@gmail.com
Tuobo Gbaweliken, River Gee County – The farming cooperative Bâituogkhã has proudly commenced the harvest of lowland rice in Tuobo Gbaweliken, Electoral District 3, River Gee County—an important milestone made possible through the support of the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) under the Ministry of Agriculture.
The cooperative, whose name Bâituogkhã translates to “Let’s Put Strong” in the Grebo dialect, was formed to strengthen solidarity among farmers and enhance food production in the county. Members say the harvest represents not just the fruits of their collective effort but also a step forward in addressing food security and stimulating local economic growth.
The STAR-P initiative, funded by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is a government-backed program aimed at transforming smallholder farming across Liberia. Implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture, the project focuses on increasing productivity, enhancing value chains, and improving market access for farmers in rural communities.
Through STAR-P, farmers receive improved rice and other crop varieties, modern farming tools, and technical training designed to introduce better cultivation methods and post-harvest practices. The project also supports the construction of key infrastructure such as warehouses, drying floors, and feeder roads to help reduce post-harvest losses and improve access to markets.
In River Gee and other counties, STAR-P has become a vital driver of rural development, helping cooperatives like Bâituogkhã to scale up their activities and achieve sustainable growth.
One of the cooperative’s leaders, 63-year-old Ma. Victoria Tarlue, praised the Ministry of Agriculture for its support, noting that the intervention has given rural farmers in Tuobo Gbaweliken new hope. She highlighted the role of River Gee County Agriculture Coordinator, Jasper Sheriff Tweh, whom she credited for motivating the community to unite their efforts rather than farm individually.
According to Tarlue, Tweh’s encouragement and the Ministry’s backing were decisive in helping the group cultivate six hectares of lowland rice, which they are now harvesting. She described the collaborative farming model as a turning point for their community, emphasizing that before the support came, many farmers struggled with limited tools, poor-quality seeds, and the inability to expand beyond subsistence production.
“We owe our success to our son, Jasper Sheriff Tweh, who inspired us to collaborate in farming. With the ministry’s help, we’ve been able to cultivate more land and are now reaping the rewards, receiving rice seedlings, tools, and equipment,” she said.
Tarlue, who continues farming to support her children and grandchildren, stressed the importance of sustained support. “Without continued assistance, it will be challenging to boost food production in our district,” she added.
County Agriculture Coordinator Jasper Sheriff Tweh commended the farmers for their determination and unity, describing their harvest as proof that rural communities can achieve remarkable results when given the right support. He stressed that the Bâituogkhã cooperative’s success illustrates how collective farming, backed by modern techniques and government assistance, can transform agriculture in River Gee.
Tweh noted that the STAR-P program remains committed to working closely with farmers by providing technical assistance, ensuring access to improved seeds, distributing essential farming tools, and offering tailored training programs aimed at increasing productivity. He explained that the program also emphasizes post-harvest management, helping farmers reduce losses and link more effectively to markets.
“The success here in Tuobo Gbaweliken should encourage other communities to organize themselves and take advantage of the opportunities being made available,” Tweh said. He added that STAR-P’s interventions are not short-term fixes but part of a long-term plan to strengthen food systems, improve household incomes, and build resilience among smallholder farmers in River Gee County and across Liberia.
The harvest marks a major milestone for the cooperative, which views lowland rice cultivation not only as a vital source of food security for their households but also as an emerging income-generating activity that can lift families out of poverty. Farmers believe the ability to produce surplus rice for sale will allow them to pay school fees, meet healthcare needs, and invest in other livelihood ventures.
Local leaders say the progress of the Bâituogkhã Farmers Association demonstrates the benefits of collective farming and the importance of programs like STAR-P in unlocking rural potential. They hope the success story will inspire other communities in River Gee County to organize themselves into cooperatives and take advantage of government and donor-supported initiatives. They emphasize that sustainable farming practices, modern tools, and continued institutional support will be crucial in ensuring that the momentum generated by this year’s harvest is not lost.
