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By: Nukanah Kollie
GARMUE, BONG COUNTY – A locally driven agricultural initiative is transforming farming in Bong County with the establishment of a new rice and cassava processing center aimed at helping farmers add value to their produce, improve market access, and increase household incomes.
The facility, constructed by Panta Pride, is located in Zota District and is expected to serve farmers across Panta and Zota Districts. The center is designed to process locally grown rice and cassava, reducing farmers’ dependence on distant processing facilities while encouraging commercial agriculture within the district.
Speaking during a visit to the facility, Quanuquanei A. Karmue, Executive Director of Panta Pride, described the processing center as more than just infrastructure. He said it represents a practical investment in rural agricultural transformation by creating opportunities for farmers to convert raw crops into market-ready products.
“This is our first processing center in the district, and we hope it will ignite conversations about what is possible,” Karmue said. “Instead of harvested rice sitting in kitchens or waiting for processing elsewhere, farmers can now bring it here, process it, and prepare it for the market.”
According to him, the center will significantly reduce one of the biggest challenges facing smallholder farmers, limited access to processing equipment. He explained that farmers producing cassava will also benefit by processing their crops locally, adding value before selling them.
“Farmers no longer have to worry about transporting their crops over long distances just to process them,” he noted. “Right here in the district, they can process rice and cassava, increase the value of their harvest, and earn better returns from their hard work.”
Karmue believes value addition is critical to making agriculture more attractive, particularly for young people and rural households.
“When you farm, you want to know that the raw materials you produce can become finished products that can compete in the market. That is what this facility is intended to support,” he said.
The Executive Director disclosed that local residents played a significant role in constructing the facility, demonstrating strong community ownership of the project. He said the response from farmers has been overwhelmingly positive because many recognize the opportunities the center will create for increasing productivity and incomes.
“The district is excited about this project,” he said. “Many community members contributed during construction because they understand what this facility means for local agriculture. We look forward to officially opening it and allowing farmers to begin using it.”
Beyond the processing center, Panta Pride continues to expand its agricultural activities in the district. Karmue revealed that the organization’s mechanized farm has grown by an additional 50 acres this farming season, bringing the total cultivated area to about 150 acres.
He expressed optimism that this year’s harvest will be significantly better than previous years, attributing the expected success to the commitment of local farmers and favorable farming conditions.
“Our people have worked tirelessly throughout this farming season,” he said. “Their dedication continues to motivate us to push forward despite the challenges.”
Following the rice harvest, Panta Pride plans to plant beans across the 150-acre farmland as part of a crop rotation strategy aimed at improving soil fertility while generating additional income for farming communities.
“We intend to rotate the crops by planting beans after harvesting the rice,” Karmue explained. “This approach will not only improve the productivity of the land but also ensure that the value generated from agriculture returns directly to the people in the district.”
The initiative also places a strong emphasis on empowering rural women. Karmue said Panta Pride is reviewing and strengthening its micro-farm program to increase women’s participation in agricultural production and economic activities.
“Our vision is to ensure that the benefits from these agricultural investments go back to the community,” he said. “Women remain central to that vision, and we want to expand opportunities for them through farming and value addition.”
Despite the progress made, Karmue acknowledged that inadequate financial resources remain the organization’s greatest obstacle. He said while the ambition to expand agricultural activities is strong, funding limitations continue to slow implementation.
“We are hungry to do much more, but we are working with limited resources,” he said. “We maximize everything we have, but partnerships are essential if we are to expand.”
He called for stronger collaboration with development partners, including the Government of Liberia, the Ministry of Agriculture, and international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to support agricultural infrastructure and rural development.
“We have the passion and commitment to transform agriculture in these communities,” Karmue said. “What we need now are the resources and partnerships that will allow us to expand our work and create greater opportunities for our farmers.”
The new processing center is expected to strengthen local food systems by reducing post-harvest losses, promoting value addition, and enabling farmers in Panta and Zota District to access better markets for their agricultural products while contributing to food security and rural economic growth in Bong County.
