Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By Thomas West/0888972432/0775084260/[email protected]
Monrovia, Liberia – Madam Princess Yonmie, a dedicated agriculturalist and the Executive Director of Yonmie Containment Farm Incorporated, is calling for greater support and empowerment opportunities for women involved in agriculture across Liberia.
Sharing her experiences as a female farmer and entrepreneur, Madam Yonmie reflected on her journey into agribusiness, which began modestly in 2022 with just a pair of pigs and goats.
Since its inception, Yonmie Containment Farm Incorporated has significantly expanded, specializing in livestock farming—particularly piggery and goat farming—as well as vegetable production. Today, the farm supplies high-quality livestock products and fresh organic vegetables, directly catering to the growing demands of local markets and supermarkets across Montserrado County.
“Our pig and goat farms have grown steadily, allowing us to provide a consistent and reliable source of fresh meat for the local community. This growth not only strengthens our business but also significantly supports local food security,” Madam Yonmie explained.
The farm’s vegetable production has also seen remarkable progress, yielding abundant harvests of tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, and various other crops. This production has positively impacted local food availability, directly contributing to food security and improving community nutrition.
Looking towards the future, Madam Yonmie intends to expand her livestock operations further. Her plans include increasing the farm’s livestock population, introducing new livestock varieties, and adopting more advanced irrigation systems and innovative farming techniques to enhance productivity and sustainability.
However, despite this promising growth, Madam Yonmie acknowledges several challenges impacting her farm’s operations, including high animal feed costs, volatile market prices, and climate-related issues such as unpredictable rainfall patterns.
“While we have achieved notable successes, these challenges persistently affect us and other farmers, especially women farmers, who often lack adequate support and resources,” Madam Yonmie emphasized.
She urged stakeholders—including the government, development partners, and non-governmental organizations—to support and empower women in agriculture. She stated that assistance through capacity-building, funding, access to affordable farming inputs, and climate-smart technologies would dramatically improve their productivity and profitability.
“At Yonmie Containment Farm, we remain committed to innovation, sustainability, and active community engagement. By confronting our challenges head-on and capitalizing on new opportunities, we aim to set a positive example and become a leading agricultural model for Liberia in the coming years,” Madam Yonmie concluded.
Women play a crucial role in Liberia’s agriculture sector, serving as the backbone of food production, processing, and marketing. Despite their significant contributions, they often face challenges such as limited access to resources, financial support, and modern farming technologies. Here’s a closer look at the role of women in Liberia’s agricultural industry:
Women in Liberia actively engage in farming activities, primarily producing staple crops such as rice, cassava, plantains, and vegetables. They are involved in both subsistence farming—growing food for household consumption—and small-scale commercial farming, contributing significantly to the country’s food security.
Beyond farming, women are increasingly involved in agribusiness and value-added activities. They process agricultural products such as cassava into gari, palm fruits into palm oil, and rice into flour, enhancing the market value of these products and creating business opportunities. Women dominate Liberia’s agricultural markets, selling fresh produce, grains, and processed goods in local markets. They play a key role in food distribution, linking farmers to consumers and ensuring a stable food supply in urban and rural communities.
