Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By LAEJN Editorial Team
A major transformation is unfolding in Nimba’s agriculture sector, where smallholder farmers are reaping the benefits of the World Bank-funded Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Revitalization Project (STAR-P). One standout example is Say No to Hunger, a local vegetable farming cooperative led by Ezekiel Sayetee, which has recorded a remarkable increase in productivity, land under cultivation, and household income.
In an exclusive interview the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network on his farm on Monday, June 30, 2025, Mr. Sayetee shared how the intervention of STAR-P has expanded their farming operation from 12 acres to 54 acres — and, with new land acquisition, soon to 126 acres.
“Before STAR-P, we farmed on just 12 acres. With their support, we expanded to 54 acres and have since procured an additional 72 acres, where many community members are now actively working,” said Mr. Sayetee.
The cooperative, which specializes in the cultivation of high-demand vegetables such as cabbage, tomatoes, eggplant, groundnuts, watermelon, and pepper, has experienced a remarkable transformation in both scale and economic returns. Through the technical and material support received under the STAR-P initiative, the group has not only expanded its acreage and diversified its crop production but also introduced better farming practices that have significantly boosted yields and market access.
This surge in productivity has had a direct and measurable impact on the economic wellbeing of its members. According to Mr. Sayetee, the cooperative’s annual income has grown from just L$300,000 to over L$1 million — a more than threefold increase within a relatively short period. This dramatic rise in revenue has translated into tangible improvements in the livelihoods of the cooperative’s members, many of whom are smallholder farmers previously operating at subsistence level.
With higher earnings, members are now able to reinvest in their farms, support their families’ education, improve housing conditions, and access healthcare — achievements that were once out of reach. The financial stability has also fostered greater community participation and empowered more women and youth to engage in agriculture as a viable and rewarding livelihood.
This success story underscores how strategic interventions in smallholder farming — when aligned with local needs and accompanied by training, infrastructure, and access to markets — can catalyze rural transformation and reduce poverty.
One of the major game-changers for Say No to Hunger has been the provision of a mini truck by the STAR-P project — a logistical asset that has significantly improved the cooperative’s ability to manage and distribute its produce. Prior to this support, the group grappled with substantial post-harvest losses due to the lack of timely and reliable transportation. Without appropriate means to move fresh vegetables to markets quickly, a significant portion of their harvest would spoil before reaching buyers, leading to both financial losses and food waste.
“We used to suffer big losses due to spoilage. With the truck from STAR-P, we can now move our produce to the market much faster and at lower cost,” Sayetee explained.
The availability of the truck has not only reduced spoilage but also lowered the burden of high transportation fees, which previously ate into their slim profit margins. Farmers now have greater control over their supply chain — ensuring that their vegetables reach the market while still fresh and in high demand, which in turn increases their bargaining power and market competitiveness.
This logistical upgrade is particularly critical in rural farming communities like theirs, where road conditions are poor and transportation options are either limited or prohibitively expensive. For many rural producers, the lack of access to efficient transport is a hidden bottleneck that often undermines productivity gains and discourages farmers from scaling up operations. By addressing this gap, STAR-P has enabled Say No to Hunger to operate more like a commercial enterprise than a struggling subsistence group.
Moreover, the truck has facilitated cooperative planning and coordination, allowing them to participate in larger market networks, supply local institutions, and explore new sales channels — including aggregation centers and urban markets. It has become not just a vehicle, but a symbol of mobility, opportunity, and progress for the entire farming group.
Beyond physical inputs and logistical support, Say No to Hunger has greatly benefited from the comprehensive capacity-building initiatives provided under the STAR-P program. These training sessions have equipped cooperative members with vital knowledge and skills that go far beyond traditional farming methods — ushering in a new era of evidence-based, sustainable agriculture.
Through STAR-P’s technical support, the farmers have been introduced to climate-smart agriculture techniques, enabling them to adapt to changing weather patterns and mitigate climate-related risks such as drought, flooding, and soil degradation. This has enhanced their resilience, especially in a time when climate variability poses a growing threat to food security across Liberia.
The cooperative has also embraced organic production techniques, shifting away from heavy dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These practices not only reduce the long-term environmental and health risks associated with chemical use but also improve soil health and increase consumer demand for their produce in organic markets.
“We’ve learned to shift away from chemical fertilizers and focus on organic production. These trainings have empowered us to do farming smarter and safer,” Sayetee noted.
Additional technical training has included the use of GPS-based site selection, allowing farmers to choose optimal planting areas based on elevation, drainage, and soil type — a significant improvement from previous practices based on guesswork or tradition. Paired with soil testing and analysis, farmers are now better informed about the specific nutrient needs of their land, enabling more precise application of inputs and ultimately improving yields.
Furthermore, sessions on sustainable farm management have helped the cooperative adopt more efficient land use strategies, improve record keeping, and strengthen their organizational governance. This holistic capacity development has not only improved productivity but also built confidence among farmers, who now see themselves as agro-entrepreneurs capable of scaling up and competing in formal markets.
By combining technical know-how with practical support, STAR-P’s training component has laid the foundation for long-term growth and sustainability within the cooperative — empowering farmers not just to farm better, but to think and act strategically in an evolving agricultural economy.
While expressing gratitude to STAR-P, the World Bank, and the Government of Liberia, Mr. Sayetee urged authorities to extend similar support to other smallholder farmers across the country. He emphasized that broader inclusion would help reduce food imports and tackle dependency.
“We now need a greenhouse, an improved irrigation system, and more machinery to scale further,” he appealed.
