Paynesville- Liberia’s thirst for agricultural productivity might seemingly become a reality, as the office of President-elect Joseph Nyumah Boakai continues to embrace actions aimed at maximizing food productivity in Liberia.
By Willie N. Tokpah
As Liberia gravitates from relying solely on support to adopting a self-productive system, cooperating farmers under one umbrella is fundamental and the World Foundation International has shown its zest toward that.
World Foundation International(WFI), Chief Executive Officer, Lincoln Cooper, on Monday, January 8, led a delegation of officials at Boakai’s Rehab Residence and presented a clear concept of how he has cooperated with over 2,000 farmers to advance agriculture production in Liberia.
Mr. Cooper, who discussed with a staunch ally of the president-elect, McDella Cooper, one Jeff Blagbo, and the Special Assistant to Ambassador Boakai noted that these farmers forming the cooperative, are so much passionate about mass agro-production, but funding remains a challenge.
He craves the new government to be considered looking in the direction of cooperatives towards funding, as agriculture remains a priority in his ARREST acronym.
Cooper named Montserrado, Nimba, Margibi, Bomi, Cape Mount, Bassa, and Rovercess among other counties as targeted areas for crop production.
He said there are already ongoing farming activities focussing on the production of rice, cassava, and corn in some of these counties.
He is expressing hope that the government and international, as well as local agriculture development organizations, can partner with WFI to advance agriculture growth within the next one to three years.
At Monday’s meeting, Madam MacDella Cooper praised WFI for being organized and being made up of young people, passionate about agriculture.
She pledged her commitment to working with WFI in every agriculture aspect and to helping connect them with local and international partners in making their dreams successful.
Madam Cooper also told the team of WFI Officials, that President-elect Joseph Nyumah Boakai would be so excited, to hear about young people in said category being upbeat about agriculture development.
The Liberian politician then presented a cash of 50,000 (Fifty Thousand Liberian Dollars) to the organization’s leadership, with a promise to give another 50,000 (Fifty Thousand Liberian Dollars) at the weekend to help them with running their office. She further noted that the amount is her contribution to help relieve financial constraints currently faced by WFI.
At the same time, Jeff Belibo, who was in the meeting at President-elect, Boakai’s home, touted the team of WFI officials for their courage to cooperate with farmers and believed if more young people expressed interest in said direction, Liberia would be self-efficient in food production.
He encourages the team to focus their activities on sites that would be too far from the road.
Mr. Belibo then assured WFI of linking them with an international investor from India who is also passionate about the mass production of cassava and other products.
Meanwhile, WFI is expected to open its new office on January 19, in Brewerville, after the agro-cooperative decided to relocate from Caldwell.