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By Jeff Massah
The World Bank Country Manager in Liberia, Georgia Wallen, has lauded Liberian farmers for their vital role in strengthening livelihoods, communities, and the nation’s agricultural recovery, describing their contribution as central to Liberia’s growth and resilience.
Speaking during a visit to the newly constructed Saclapea Market in Nimba County, the Country Manager emphasized that farmers are not only feeding the nation but are also driving economic transformation by creating jobs, strengthening rural economies, and sustaining agricultural value chains. “You are making a real difference for your families, your communities, and for Liberia. Liberia is rising because of you, it is rising on your shoulders,” the World Bank official said.
The market facility in Saclepea is a major trading hub that has been transformed under the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP) funded by the World Bank to enhance agricultural trade, decrease post-harvest losses, and increase farmer incomes. The market contains a fully enclosed concrete trading block, an open-air extension designed for high-volume trading, and clearly organized selling bays. A water tower currently under construction will support water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, while the elevated design of the facility improves drainage and minimizes flooding during the rainy season.
The World Bank Country Manager expressed optimism that modern farm markets being constructed across Liberia will deliver long-term benefits, urging traders and farmers to take ownership of the facilities and use them to grow their businesses.
“We hope that this market will benefit you greatly, that your businesses will flourish, and that your children will be strong, healthy, and have a bright future,” Madam Wallen said, while also commending the strong participation of women.
For years, farmers across Liberia struggled with poor market infrastructure, unsafe trading conditions, and exposure to harsh weather, often leading to post-harvest losses and low earnings. RETRAP is addressing these long-standing challenges by constructing modern, accessible, and farmer-friendly markets that strengthen agricultural value chains, particularly for staple crops such as cassava, vegetables, and grains.
According to RETRAP Project Coordinator Gala Toto, Saclepea Market is one of several World Bank-funded market facilities that could transform rural trade in Nimba County. Similar modern markets are being constructed in Ganta, Tappita, Karnwea, and Flumpa, with the broader goal of expanding income-generating opportunities and improving livelihoods across the county.
Mr. Toto indicated that the initiative forms part of broader national efforts to reduce post-harvest losses, increase farmer incomes, and build more resilient agricultural systems in Liberia by addressing long-standing constraints along the agricultural value chain. He said investments in modern market infrastructure, storage facilities, improved hygiene standards, and better market access aim to protect farmers’ produce, stabilize prices, and expand income-generating opportunities. “These interventions also support climate resilience by minimizing losses caused by flooding and extreme weather, while strengthening linkages between rural producers, traders, and regional markets to ensure sustainable growth in the agricultural sector”, the RETRAP Project Coordinator emphasized.
Meanwhile, farmers and members of the Liberia Marketing Association who graced the visit of the World Bank Country Manager in Saclapea commended the Government of Liberia and its development partners for sustained investment in agriculture, particularly the provision of farming inputs and construction of market facilities.
According to the farmers, the intervention has improved productivity and enabled them to supply quality agricultural products consumed daily by surrounding communities. They also praised the construction of modern market facilities across their region, describing it as a major boost to trade and livelihoods in Nimba County.
They also welcomed the ongoing road construction works in the region, highlighting the critical role that reliable transportation plays in connecting farmers to markets, reducing the cost of moving goods, and facilitating trade across Nimba County and beyond.
The Farmers expressed optimism that these road networks would significantly improve access to key trading hubs, ease the movement of agricultural inputs and produce, and open up new opportunities for economic growth in their communities. They emphasized that better roads would not only enhance market efficiency but also contribute to social development by improving access to schools, health facilities, and other essential services in rural areas.
