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Back in 2017, Isaac Tarley Monah started with just 40 birds in his backyard in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, situated in southeastern Liberia. What began as a modest but determined experiment would grow into the thriving enterprise now known as IMONIK Poultry Farm today.
At the time, poultry farming was extremely challenging. Feed had to be imported from outside the country, costing between US$100 and US$120 per bag. These high prices made production expensive and unsustainable. Access to quality inputs, especially corn, the main ingredient for poultry feed, was limited. Local farmers sold corn informally on the streets, and there was no organized system to support poultry production.
RETRAP Intervention, a Major Game Changer
The breakthrough came with the intervention of the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture and funded by the Government of Liberia and the World Bank.
According to Isaac Tarley Monah, with support from the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), IMONIK Poultry Farm received an investment of approximately US$114,000, which was instrumental in transforming the farm into a modern and competitive agribusiness.
The IMONIK Poultry Farm CEO indicated that the funding enabled the purchase of a feed production machine, allowing the farm to produce its own feed locally, reduce dependence on costly imports, lower production costs, and improve bird nutrition. RETRAP also supported the purchase of a 32KVA generator to ensure an uninterrupted power supply for processing and daily operations.
“Resources were used to renovate poultry houses and repair buildings, improving ventilation, sanitation, and overall bird welfare. Perimeter fencing strengthened security and biosecurity, protecting birds from theft, predators, and disease risks’’ Mr. Monah further disclosed.
He said the investment further supported the procurement of veterinary medicines and health supplies, enhancing disease prevention and reducing mortality. In addition, 4,000 improved birds were purchased, significantly expanding the flock and boosting egg production and market presence.
“Through funding from RETRAP, we brought in a veterinary expert who was engaged to train staff in modern poultry practices, feeding systems, disease control, and recordkeeping.”
One of the farm’s key strategies was community engagement and radio outreach, which helped mobilize local farmers to grow corn for feed production.
The farm began buying corn directly from farmers, supporting them with transportation and advance payments. “When farmers harvested, the advance was deducted and the balance paid. This system strengthened trust, improved incomes, and built a reliable local supply chain” , Mr. Monah disclosed.
Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women
IMONIK Poultry Farm has grown beyond a production enterprise to become an important center for youth empowerment and women’s economic participation in Zwedru, southeastern Liberia. From its early stages, the farm’s leadership recognized that sustainable growth must be linked to human development, particularly for young people and women who often face limited employment opportunities in rural communities.
Today, the farm provides both permanent and temporary employment opportunities that directly support education, skills development, and household livelihoods. Seven permanent staff members are employed to manage daily operations, animal care, feed production, and administration. Of these, three are women, reflecting the farm’s commitment to gender inclusion and equal participation in economic activities.
In addition to full-time staff, about ten young people, mostly students from Zwedru and surrounding communities, benefit from internship and part-time opportunities. These youths work as weekend staff, seasonal workers, or interns, especially during school breaks. Six of them are young women, demonstrating strong female participation in the program.
Market Demand and Production
Demand for IMONIK Poultry Farm’s eggs remains strong across Grand Gedeh County, particularly in and around Zwedru, where consumers increasingly prefer fresh, locally produced food over imported alternatives.
According to farm owner Isaac Tarley Monah, customer loyalty has been built on consistent quality and reliability.
“People trust our eggs,” Monah said. “They know they are fresh, they are clean, and they are safe to eat. When customers buy from us once, they usually come back again.”
Unlike imported eggs, which often spend days or weeks in transit before reaching local markets, IMONIK eggs are delivered shortly after collection. This freshness has become a major selling point and has strengthened the farm’s reputation in the community.
“Some customers even come directly to the farm to buy,” Monah explained. “They want to see where the eggs are coming from. That builds confidence.”
Currently, the farm produces about three and a half cartons of eggs per day, equivalent to roughly 1,000 eggs. One carton contains 12 trays, with each tray holding about 30 eggs. Production levels are steadily increasing as younger birds reach full laying capacity.
“With the new birds starting to lay, we are expecting to reach seven to eight cartons per day very soon,” Monah said. “That will help us meet the growing demand.”
As demand continues to rise, the farm is investing in improved management, feeding systems, and flock expansion to maintain quality while increasing output. Monah said meeting market demand is not only about producing more eggs, but also about maintaining trust.
“Our name is important,” he said. “Once people trust you, you must protect that trust. That is why we focus on quality every day.”
Income Diversification
In addition to egg production, IMONIK Poultry Farm has developed innovative ways to diversify income and strengthen local agricultural systems. One notable example is the sale of poultry manure to vegetable farmers in Zwedru and surrounding communities. The manure is highly valued as an organic fertilizer that improves soil fertility, enhances crop yields, and supports sustainable farming practices.
“Vegetable farmers rely on our manure because it is natural and effective,” said Isaac Tarley Monah, farm owner. “By selling it to them, we are not only generating extra income, but also helping other farmers grow better crops.”
Proceeds from manure sales are reinvested into the farm’s core operations, particularly the production of poultry feed. This creates a circular farming system, where waste from one part of the operation becomes a valuable input for another. Corn and other ingredients are purchased from local farmers, feed is produced on-site, and manure from the birds returns to the soil, completing the cycle.
“This system benefits everyone,” Monah explained. “We support crop farmers, strengthen local supply chains, and improve our own production efficiency at the same time.”
Expansion Plan
IMONIK Poultry Farm has ambitious plans to scale operations to approximately 12,000 birds, maintaining at least 6,000 active layers at any given time. This expansion aims to ensure a continuous and reliable supply of eggs, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen the farm’s competitiveness in southeastern Liberia.
In addition to increasing production, the farm plans to establish local supply chains for poultry feed and veterinary medicines, addressing one of the key challenges faced by poultry farmers in the southeast region of Liberia: high costs and limited access to essential inputs.
Monah emphasized the farm’s broader vision: “We want this place to be a learning center for the whole region,” he said. “It’s not just about producing eggs, we want to train young farmers, share knowledge, and support others to succeed in poultry farming.”
