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By Mellish Gbor
SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County — Tomato production is expanding in Sanniquellie as the Nimba County Agriculture Project develops additional farms and irrigation facilities to increase the supply of locally grown vegetables.
Jefferson G. Degon, Nimba County Agriculture Coordinator, said about 1.14 hectares of land is currently being cultivated with tomatoes at one of the project’s farms in Sanniquellie.
Degon made the disclosure during a field visit to the farm, where he told journalists that another 1.5-hectare site in Sanniquellie is being prepared for tomato production.
A similarly sized farm in Kpain is also undergoing tomato transplanting, he said.
According to Degon, planting and harvesting are being staggered across the farms to ensure a more consistent supply of tomatoes to the market rather than having production concentrated in a single harvesting period.
The project has already begun commercial sales, with approximately 9.7 metric tons of tomatoes sold so far, Degon said.
He added that another harvest is expected on Thursday, September 17.
Irrigation to Support Dry-Season Farming
The project is also investing in irrigation infrastructure to maintain agricultural production during periods of limited rainfall.
At the Kpain farm, Degon said a well is being developed to provide water for irrigation and reduce dependence on rain-fed farming.
He said the county’s agricultural program is being implemented across four major areas: vegetable production, livestock, rice and tree crops.
Livestock activities are expected to commence soon, while rice production is planned for District #6, Degon said.
The agriculture coordinator credited Nimba County Superintendent Ma Kou Meapeh Gono and the county administration with providing approximately US$400,000 toward the initiative.
He also acknowledged support from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The expansion of tomato production comes as the county agriculture project develops multiple farming sites aimed at increasing agricultural output and connecting local producers with markets in Nimba County and beyond.
