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By Allen Paye Lablah, Sanniquellie City , Nimba County / lallenpaye@yahoo.com
The Walalehnon Agriculture Group, located in Gboa Gbalasonnor, Nimba County, is making an urgent appeal to agricultural and humanitarian organizations for support in acquiring a cassava processing machine. This piece of equipment is critical to their efforts to enhance cassava production, adding value and improving marketability for broader distribution.
Last year, the Walalehnon Group cultivated a combined 35 acres of land, with 25 acres dedicated to cassava farming and 10 acres to rice production. Chairman Alberto S. Flomo stressed that the group’s vision goes beyond mere cultivation; they are committed to transforming agriculture into a key driver for local economic empowerment.
“The addition of a cassava processing machine is essential for us to achieve this,” Chairman Flomo explained. He highlighted the significant economic potential of the venture, estimating that cassava sales could generate up to US$20,000, a sum that would be a game-changer for both the group and the broader community.
The impact of such a machine would not only enhance the quality of cassava products but also create new income-generating opportunities. This aligns with a larger strategy to use agriculture as a means of uplifting the community, strengthening local food security, and ensuring sustainable economic growth. According to Flomo, agriculture is at the heart of national development, and he believes that investing in grassroots agricultural initiatives is paramount for Liberia’s long-term prosperity.
Chairlady Abertor Tiapeh added her voice to the appeal, emphasizing the importance of continuing support from the government and other stakeholders. She also expressed her hope that their success would inspire other local groups to organize similar projects, noting plans to establish a village savings and loan scheme funded by proceeds from cassava and rice sales. This initiative, she believes, could further deepen the impact of their agricultural work on the community’s economic resilience.
The Walalehnon Group, which was founded in January 2024 with support from Agriculture Relief Services (ARS), currently boasts 28 members. These individuals are actively involved in cassava and rice farming as part of the REALISE Project’s Community Livelihood and Agriculture Support (CLAS) Component. This project, funded by Sweden and the World Bank and supported by Liberia’s Ministry of Youths and Sports and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, aims to enhance food security and income opportunities for vulnerable populations within Liberia’s informal sector.
The call for a cassava processing machine, however, is more than a request for equipment—it is part of a broader vision to stimulate sustainable rural development. The Walalehnon Group’s aspirations reflect a growing recognition of the role agriculture can play in driving Liberia’s development agenda, advocating for increased community involvement and government investment to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.
For the Walalehnon Agriculture Group, the hope is that this initiative will not only provide economic benefits for its members but will also act as a catalyst for the kind of systemic changes needed to build a more resilient and self-sustaining agricultural sector in Liberia. By reducing labor, increasing productivity, and creating economic opportunities through value addition, the Walalehnon Agriculture Group stands as a model for how grassroots initiatives can drive meaningful change in rural Liberia
