Suakoko Chiefdom Embarks on Communal Farming Initiatives to Combat Food Insecurity

By: Wilmot Konah/0555666441/0775793638/ [email protected] 

Suakoko, Bong: To address the growing concern of food insecurity in the region, Suakoko Chiefdom has officially launched communal farming initiatives. This move is part of a larger push to reduce Liberia’s dependency on imported food and ensure that local communities can produce their sustenance.

Hon. Bennie Vio, the Paramount Chief of Suakoko Chiefdom, expressed deep concern about Liberia’s ongoing struggles to achieve food self-sufficiency. He pointed out the increasing prevalence of hunger across the country as a major issue that needs urgent attention. “We can no longer continue relying on imported food. Many of these foods are unsafe for consumption,” he stated.

The initiative will see community members working together to establish farming sites in all three clans within the Chiefdom: Kpatawee, Suakoko, and Kpoyorquelleh. The first steps have already been taken, with preparations underway for land clearing and identification of suitable areas for planting.

Communal farming, a collective farming practice where members of a community collaborate on a single piece of land, is expected to significantly boost local food production. Chief Vio stressed the importance of this initiative in ensuring that the community has access to organic produce, including rice and other vegetables. He remarked, “Produce from the farms will be sold to the Chiefdom’s inhabitants to make sure our people have organic rice and other vegetables. We are tired of the white rice.”

In addition to addressing food insecurity, the communal farming project aims to strengthen community bonds, fostering collaboration and unity among the residents of Suakoko Chiefdom.

The initiative was announced during an interview with Chief Vio in Gokai Town, where he shared his hopes for the success of the project and its potential to serve as a model for other regions in Liberia.