Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By James Kollie, Voinjama, Lofa County
Corn growers in Lofa County continue to face significant barriers to profitable production, as a lack of buyers and market infrastructure limits the crop’s potential despite growing demand in other sectors of Liberia’s economy.
The 4 United Brothers Vegetables Agriculture Inc., originally focused on vegetable cultivation, has ventured into large-scale corn farming this year, planting four hectares of lowland corn at Koima Junction in Voinjama District. The organization began its first harvest on July 28, 2025.
Speaking to journalists, the group’s head, Christopher Mawolo, said that while corn is widely grown in small household gardens for personal consumption, commercial-scale production in Lofa has been rare due to limited market access. “There has been little added value to corn production here,” Mawolo noted, stressing that his organization aims to change this trend by targeting poultry farms in Lofa and other parts of Liberia.
The timing could be critical. The Government of Liberia is set to launch a national egg production program in October, creating a potential surge in demand for corn as a key poultry feed ingredient. Mawolo said his organization is ready to supply large quantities if given adequate support from agricultural promotion institutions.
However, analysts say that without reliable market linkages, processing facilities, and storage infrastructure, farmers may struggle to benefit from this potential demand. Price volatility and post-harvest losses have historically undermined the profitability of staple crops in rural Liberia, and corn could face similar challenges unless systemic gaps are addressed.
Lofa County Senator Cllr. Joseph K. Jallah, who visited the farm during the harvest, praised the initiative but underscored the urgent need for storage facilities across the county. “If farmers can store their produce effectively, they can wait for better prices and reduce waste,” Jallah said, adding that storage infrastructure is essential to making agriculture a viable livelihood.
For now, 4 United Brothers Vegetables Agriculture Inc. remains one of the few groups attempting large-scale corn cultivation in Lofa. Whether their efforts will translate into sustained profitability may depend as much on the market and policy environment as on their ability to grow the crop.
When contacted by the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network, Tom Orinoe Sibley, Project and Programs Director of the National Corn Growers of Liberia (NCGL), voiced similar deep concern over the numerous challenges confronting corn farmers across the country. These challenges include limited access to quality seeds and inputs, inadequate technical support, lack of reliable market linkages, and insufficient storage and processing infrastructure—factors that collectively constrain productivity and profitability for many smallholder farmers.
Sibley acknowledged that, at present, the NCGL faces significant resource and capacity constraints that limit its ability to fully address these widespread issues. However, he emphasized that the organization is actively engaged in efforts to strengthen its institutional capacity, improve coordination with governmental agencies, development partners, and private sector stakeholders, and enhance the delivery of services tailored to the needs of its members.
“We recognize the critical role that corn farmers play in Liberia’s agricultural economy, especially as the poultry industry expands and demands more locally produced feed ingredients,” Sibley explained. “Our goal is to build a stronger, more responsive association that can advocate effectively for our members, facilitate access to essential inputs and markets, and provide technical training and support.”
He further stressed that corn production will be a cornerstone of Liberia’s poultry sector transformation, positioning corn farmers as key contributors to national food security and economic growth. “By partnering with stakeholders and leveraging available resources, we aim to empower corn farmers to scale up production sustainably and profitably,” Sibley concluded.
