Bensonville – The World Bank has reiterated its commitment to Liberia’s development agenda, with a focus on empowering women, smallholder farmers, and agribusinesses as key drivers of inclusive growth.
On a field visit to the cassava production site of Destiny Women Incorporated in Bensonville on Wednesday, World Bank Vice President Lisa Rosen commended the resilience and determination of Liberian women in agriculture:
“It is amazing not to come to the countryside to meet you and all of the incredible work that you do to put food on the table for yourselves, for the country, and for the future of your children. We are very grateful to be partnering with Destiny’s Women and with the Ministry here in Liberia, to build a better future together.”
World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, Georgia Wallen, emphasized the importance of investing in women-led businesses:
“When you invest in women, you invest in the future of Liberia. That’s why we are so proud of Destiny’s Women and honored to highlight the work they are doing. This was number one on our list of projects to visit. It keeps on giving.
For her part, Comfort Jallah, Executive Director of the group, expressed gratitude to the World Bank, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the RETRAP project for their sustained support:
“It is because of your support that we are where we are today. Cassava is our vision, and we will continue to make you proud by turning it into products that feed families and sustain livelihoods.”
Founded in 2010 and relocated to Bentol in 2014, Destiny Women Incorporated has grown into one of Liberia’s leading women-led agribusiness cooperatives. The group, with a membership of 26, operates a cassava processing plant with a capacity of 20 metric tons per hour, provided by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2017. Today, they produce gari, super gari, fufu, starch, and other cassava products.
With support from RETRAP, the cooperative expanded from small retail packaging to 25kg bags, with a grant of 30,000 USD, and secured a contract with the World Food Programme (WFP) under the Homegrown School Feeding Program. RETRAP also equipped the group with a six-ton truck and a 15KVA solar system, drastically reducing fuel expenses and enabling more efficient operations.
Madam Jallah noted that this transformation has changed lives:
“Before, agriculture was just hand-to-mouth. Now we see it as a business. Many of our members have built their own homes, can send their children to school, and are no longer struggling to survive day by day. This support has truly changed our lives.”
The World Bank delegation’s visit highlights its continuing support for Liberia’s agricultural transformation, women’s empowerment, and inclusive development, reaffirming that investing in women and farmers is investing in the nation’s future.
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