GANTA, Nimba County – Over twenty rural women from Ganta and its surrounding communities in Nimba County recently benefited from a new loan program launched by the Nimba Women Agriculture Cooperative.
By D. Franklin Doloquee
This financial initiative seeks to empower women actively engaged in agricultural activities along the Ganta- Gbanga Highway by providing them with accessible credit to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Speaking to reporters at one of the cooperative’s farms, Madam Plenseh P. McCoy, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nimba Women Agriculture Cooperative, explained the program’s objectives and terms.
The beneficiaries are cooperative members involved in various agricultural activities. The loans are extended at a 20 percent monthly interest rate, with repayment expected within a one-month period.
Madam McCoy emphasized that this arrangement aims to give members the financial flexibility to boost production, increase their sales and broaden their agricultural enterprises.
“We have opened accounts for our members at numerous banking institutions in Ganta, allowing us to offer these small but impactful loans. The low-interest structure helps make our women farmers more productive and self-reliant,” Madam McCoy stated.
A total of 25 rural women received loans amounting to 204,000 Liberian dollars through this program. Despite the high interest rate, the cooperative ensures transparency and accountability to support members in achieving financial growth and sustaining their farming activities.
Madam McCoy disclosed that since the withdrawal of international support from Liberia, rural women have continued to play a critical role in supporting their families and communities through agriculture.
The loan scheme is intended to empower farmers, especially those within the cooperative, by helping them to diversify their income streams and manage small businesses effectively. She highlighted that many beneficiaries are single mothers or widows who greatly benefit from access to timely financial resources.
“This loan program is just the beginning. We are committed to continuing our efforts to provide financial support to rural women farmers to promote productivity and economic independence,” she affirmed.
Plans are underway to expand agricultural loan services to more rural women, recognizing the vital role they play in food security and economic development in the region.
About the Nimba Women Agriculture Cooperative
The Nimba Women Agriculture Cooperative is a collective of women dedicated to advancing agricultural production and sustainability in Nimba County.
Their mission aligns with national goals to reduce Liberia’s dependency on imported rice and other food products by boosting local agricultural output. These women are deeply involved in farming activities and provide mutual support through financial loans and agricultural advice, helping to overcome challenges faced by farmers in Liberia.
The cooperative also serves as a platform to advocate for greater government and international support to rural women farmers. The cooperative calls on the international community and the Liberian government, including the administration of President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung, to increase support for women farmers.
Empowering these farmers is essential for enhancing food production and fostering economic growth in Liberia.
Beneficiary Perspectives, Madam Janet Kwiti and Madam Kou Wonto, two loan recipients including others described the financial support as a lifeline that will enable them to expand their small businesses
“This loan will allow us to move from one stage of business to another, increasing our income and better providing for our children,” they shared enthusiastically.”
Both women expressed gratitude and committed to using the funds wisely to improve their families’ quality of life.
This loan program marks a significant step toward financial inclusion and empowerment for rural women in Nimba County, fostering resilience and growth in the agricultural sector.
The Nimba Women Agriculture Cooperative continues to pave the way for women’s participation in Liberia’s economic development through agriculture and entrepreneurship.
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