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By Thomas West
Salala, Bong County: The Commissioner of Konawolala Administrative District in Bong County, Hon. Stephen Binda, has officially launched eight communal farms in a renewed push to strengthen food security, promote self-reliance, and stimulate local economic growth in the district.
The unveiling ceremony, held over the weekend in Gbayaita and Sackie-Bonbo-ta, brought together local leaders, youth, and women’s groups from across the district, reflecting growing community participation in agricultural development.
Commissioner Binda described the initiative as a practical step toward community empowerment and collective prosperity. “These farms are not just about growing rice,” he said. “They are about empowering our people and ensuring that Konawolala is placed on the agricultural map for massive food production.”
The eight communal farms, located across several towns and villages, are currently focused on rice cultivation—Liberia’s primary staple crop. However, plans are already underway to diversify production next season to include cassava, vegetables, and cash crops such as rubber, cocoa, and oil palm.
According to Binda, the communal farming project aligns with Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan, which aims to make the country 70 percent self-sufficient in food production within the next five years. He emphasized that local participation and grassroots innovation are critical to achieving this target.
“We are calling on the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and our international partners to support us with farm implements, tools, and financial resources,” he appealed. “With the right support, these farms can transform livelihoods and reduce dependence on imported food.”
Agricultural analysts say initiatives like the Konawolala communal farms underscore the importance of community-driven models in advancing national food security. They argue that cooperative farming enhances local ownership, strengthens social cohesion, and builds resilience against economic and climatic shocks.
Commissioner Binda concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sustaining the initiative and promoting agricultural development as “the backbone of Konawolala’s economy and the key to reducing hunger.”
The Konawolala communal farm initiative adds to a growing list of local efforts in Bong County that are contributing to Liberia’s long-term vision of agricultural self-sufficiency and rural transformation.
