Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By: Wilmot Konah/0555666441/0775793638/[email protected]
Sanoyea-Bong: The acting chairperson of the Tunekpan Farmer’s Cooperative in Sanoyea District, Bong County, Madam Mariama B. Fofana calls for consolidated efforts towards Coffee production in Liberia.
According to Madam Fofana, coffee is a valuable tree crop that provides huge financial and health benefits. She emphasized local farmers in other African Countries specifically Uganda where she recently visited are making tremendous investments in the Coffee sector thus leading to their livelihood improvements.
Madam Fofana lamented that Liberia was progressing in Coffee production years back but the Country has drastically declined in the crop’s production due to limited interest from Liberian farmers who have downplayed the importance of the crop.
She recounted “People were growing coffee years back in this country but most people just abandoned farming this crop. Coffee is very good to be planted. I recently traveled to Uganda through the Farmers Union to see other coffee producers and I was more inspired. The way I saw the people produce coffee is really good and let’s do the same here.”
The veteran female farmer however called on Liberians to venture into the cultivation of Coffee highlighting its wealthy impact. The Tunekpan farmers’ cooperative boss then called on local farmers to endeavor the cultivation of tree crops including cocoa, rubber, and oil palm.
“If Coffee must develop in Liberia, it needs everyone to join the process.: The government, local farmers, and partners are needed in this process.”
She also appeals to the Liberian government to shift its focus to the Coffee sector through the provision of improved varieties and advanced processing equipment.
Madam Fofana believes that when the coffee sector is empowered, it will greatly contribute to Liberia’s annual revenue collection. She made these statements recently in a special interview with our reporter in Sanoyea Town, Bong County.
