Duoyee Town, Gbarpolu County – Gbarpolu County District #2 Representative, Cllr. Kaine Wesso has launched an agriculture project for his constituents in a bid to boost their food production and financial income.
The project is also in fulfillment of several campaign promises made by Hon. Wesso during the 2017 Presidential and Legislative elections.
According to the Project Coordinator, Kanie Merfee, local farmers of the area will be trained and equipped with tools and other materials to embark on their farming activities.
“My mission in this county is to ensure that he provides skills training for citizens of the county to grow their own food, and carry out subsistence farming,” Merfee said.
He said for too long citizens of that part of the country have faced challenges in their farming activities due to the lack of tools and other essential farming materials for cultivation and aggregation amongst others.
He said the project is meant to lift the livelihood of farmers in that part of the country.
Farmers are being trained to cultivate vegetables and cash crops including plantain, cocoa, and rice.
The project was launched in Duoyee, Gbarpolu County with a two-day training under the theme “Grow What You Eat” which brought together several farmers from surrounding towns and villages.
According to Merfee, the project is a five-year program that is being implemented through the Belle District Farmers Association (BeDFA).
BeDFA’s goal is to make farmers wealthy, Healthy, and reduce poverty amongst others through agriculture, he said.
Douyee is one of the remotest parts of Gbarpolu County. The area was mainly inaccessible to both vehicles and motorcycles and commuters had to travel for several hours to get to the nearest market and health center.
However, through the agricultural project, the area is now accessible to motorcycles. Residents are hoping that in the near future vehicles will reach them.
Speaking to our reporters in the area, the farmers expressed gratitude to Rep. Wesso for the gesture and expressed hope that he will continue what he has started.
Zubah Tarnue said the project was first of its kind in the district and the rehabilitation work on the road which allows motorcycles to enter the town has alleviated some of the difficulties the community faced.
“It is not easy for us here. There is no road. We move from place to place by walking. At least the coming of the motorbikes will reduce the suffering we are going through here,” Tarnue explained. Also speaking, another farmer, Lorpu Famah lauded the lawmaker for the initiative and called on other prominent citizens of the county to emulate his good example.