GANTA, Nimba County – The Ministry of Agriculture’s STAR-P and RETRAP projects, funded by the World Bank are transforming agricultural practices and boosting productivity among local farmers.
By: G. Watson Richards, contributing writer
Through targeted support and interventions, these initiatives are fostering growth and self-sufficiency in the region.
From Struggles to Success
Joe S. Selnneh, founder and chairperson of Pertaluo Vegetables Farmers Group in Garr Zuluyee Town, expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided under the STAR-P Project.
“The materials they gave us have really helped us a lot,” Selnneh said.
Despite not having a formal business plan, the group received essential farming inputs including fertilizers, basic tools, and seeds, which significantly increased their vegetable production. “We’re into mixed vegetable production, namely watermelon, salad tomatoes, bitter balls, onions, etc. The support we received from the Ministry of Agriculture through the STAR-P Project has made significant impacts on our production,” Selnneh noted.
However, challenges remain. “Our major challenge is transportation. Getting our goods from one point to another using commercial vehicles is very challenging for us,” he explained.
Additionally, storage and machinery are persistent issues, with the group currently storing produce in an unused poultry facility and relying on manual farming methods.
Looking ahead, Selnneh hopes to transition the group into a cooperative to adopt mechanized farming.
A Vision for Self-Sufficiency
Samuel S. Brown, CEO of Gbedin Agro Business Incorporated, outlined his company’s efforts to support smallholder farmers by buying, processing, and adding value to rice.
“Our aim is to produce parboiled rice,” Brown said. The company received a $58,000 grant from the STAR-P Project to construct a dam, crucial for irrigation during dry seasons. “If we’re producing 300 metric tons, this dam will help to double our production,” Brown emphasized.
Despite receiving some machinery from the Ministry of Agriculture, Brown highlighted the ongoing demand for more equipment. He also plans to build a bridge over the dam to facilitate the transportation of farm products to the market.
Education and Innovation
The STAR-P Project has also established a tripartite agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nimba University, and the Nimba Cooperative, focusing on agricultural education and research. This initiative includes the construction of two pig farms on the university campus, intended to support both research and the cooperative with healthy livestock.
Nathan Gono Sr., Dean of the Agriculture and Food Sciences College at Nimba University, praised the project’s impact. “Students specializing in agriculture will have hands-on training,” Gono remarked, underscoring the long-term benefits for the agricultural sector in Nimba County.
A Call for Continued Support
While the achievements under the STAR-P and RETRAP projects are significant, beneficiaries are calling for sustained and increased support. “Rural farmers are the ones really doing the job but they’re not benefiting from the Ministry. We’re calling on the ministry to deal directly with local farmers,” Selnneh urged.
As these projects continue to foster development, the hope remains that Liberia will move closer to food self-sufficiency, driven by the dedication and hard work of its farmers and the strategic support from development partners.
The World Bank STAR-P and RETRAP projects are carrying out an assessment tour in seven of its beneficiary counties with the help of independent media institutions: Lofa, Nimba, Bong, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Bomi, and Montserrado respectively.
