STAR-P Empowering Rural Women Farmers in Lofa to Scale Rice Production

By LAEJN Editorial Team

Foyah, Lofa County – The Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P), funded by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, is empowering and changing the face of smallholder farming in Liberia. One of the standout success stories and shining examples is the Mayour River Women Agricultural Cooperative in Foyah Lofa County, led by Ms. Tewah L. Blama.

Since its establishment in 2018, the cooperative has been striving to expand rice production, but challenges such as limited resources, poor irrigation, and a lack of modern farming tools have long hindered its progress and kept output low. With the intervention of STAR-P, the story is now shifting toward growth, resilience, and transformation.

Through STAR-P’s support, the cooperative received grants totaling over US$100,000, which have been used to construct a reservoir (mini dam), purchase farmland, construct a warehouse with drying facilities, and acquire key equipment and inputs, like a power tiller, sprayer, and fertilizers. In addition, STAR-P has also contracted the cooperative to rehabilitate and develop 100 hectares of swamp rice fields—extending benefits not only to the cooperative’s 120 members but also to surrounding farmers who rely on the shared water system/infrastructure, making a new chapter of resilience, growth, and agriculture revitalization in the region.

“This support has been life-changing,” says Blama. “Before STAR-P, we struggled with manual labor and limited harvests. Now, with the mini dam and rehabilitation of our swamps, over 30 hectares of rice fields will benefit not just us but neighboring farmers too.”

From initially cultivating just 10 hectares, the cooperative has now expanded to 17 hectares of rice fields, with plans to scale further. In previous years, the cooperative harvested between 500–600 bags of rice, but climate shocks in 2024 drastically cut yields. This year, with renewed optimism and improved field management, the farmers are targeting at least 500 bags. Beyond infrastructure and inputs, STAR-P has invested in the capacity of farmers by providing training in land preparation, water and field management, and financial management. “The knowledge gained is helping us to run the cooperative more sustainably and efficiently,” Blama explained

Despite these gains, challenges remain. Labor shortages for transplanting and harvesting are driving up production costs.  To address this, the cooperative is now seeking mechanization support, specifically transplanters, harvesters, and threshers, to reduce reliance and dependency on costly manual labor.

According to the chairperson of the cooperative, Mayour River Women Agriculture Cooperative has big aspirations.. The cooperative is determined to establish a seed company and seed bank that will multiply and supply improved varieties to farmers across Lofa. “Most of our women are aging. We want to train and engage young people so they can take over and continue feeding Liberia,” Blama noted.

The STAR-P initiative is a beacon of hope for rural farmers who once relied solely on subsistence methods. By empowering women-led cooperatives like Mayour River Women Agricultural Cooperative, it is not only boosting food security but also fostering community resilience and youth engagement, and participation in agriculture.

Ms. Tewah L. Blama’s message to fellow Liberians is clear: “Start small. Don’t wait for help before you begin. When people see your effort, they will support you. Agriculture is the way forward if we want to stop depending on others to feed us.”

With support from IFAD and the World Bank, and the Ministry of Agriculture’s leadership, STAR-P is proving that strategic investments in smallholder farmers can unlock Liberia’s potential to reduce rice imports, improve livelihoods, and ensure food security for generations to come.