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By Ishmael F. Menkor
Saclepea, Nimba County – At a time when Liberia continues to grapple with food insecurity, a young agriculturalist from Nimba County is charting a new path by introducing a climate-resilient bean variety that could redefine local farming practices.
Marker Gbarwee, a graduate of the Booker T. Washington Institute and current student of General Agriculture at the Liberia International Christian College, has spent the past eight years conducting empirical research on what he calls the “Marpea” bean. Discovered in 2016 near the East Nimba Nature Reserve, the variety has proven highly adaptable to Liberia’s changing climate conditions.
According to Gbarwee, Marpea matures in just two months, making it a fast-growing option for farmers. Its resilience and productivity, he said, position it as a potential game-changer for household nutrition and market farming.
“Through our empirical research, we have confirmed that this bean is highly climate resilient, nutritional, and productive,” he explained during an interview. “It is already loved by many gardeners who have seen its potential.”
Gbarwee’s discovery highlights a broader trend: young Liberians are beginning to reimagine agriculture not merely as subsistence, but as science, business, and innovation. While much of the country’s agriculture sector still relies on traditional methods, young graduates are experimenting with new crop varieties, sustainable farming practices, and market-driven approaches.
This shift is significant. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, youth unemployment remains a major challenge, yet agriculture employs over 60% of Liberia’s workforce. Analysts argue that if more young people see agriculture as a viable career path—as Gbarwee has—the sector could help address unemployment while boosting food production.
Beyond crop discovery, Gbarwee is also an advocate of organic farming and conservation practices. He emphasizes the need for community education in sustainable land management, especially in lowland farming areas prone to deforestation and soil degradation.
“Agriculture is not only about producing food—it is about protecting the environment and ensuring that farming practices do not compromise future survival,” he said.
Though Gbarwee claims to be working with organizations such as SOS-AID and the Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment (RICCE), those partnerships remain unverified. Still, his work has begun attracting recognition at the community level, particularly for demonstrating how young people can drive agricultural innovation.
While Liberia’s agricultural policies acknowledge youth involvement, practical support—such as access to finance, mechanization, and research funding—remains limited. Initiatives like Gbarwee’s show what is possible when youth are given space to experiment, but scaling such innovations will require stronger institutional backing.
Gbarwee envisions a Liberia that relies less on food imports and more on homegrown solutions.
“I am envisioning a self-reliant Liberia, where the country can produce its own food and strengthen its agricultural sector,” he said.
His story illustrates both the promise and the challenges facing Liberia’s agriculture sector. With youthful energy, scientific curiosity, and community engagement, young agriculturalists like Gbarwee are sowing seeds of change. But to fully realize their potential, Liberia’s agricultural future will need not just innovation in the fields—but also investment in its youth.
