By Charles Gbayor, gbayorcharlesgbayor@gmail.com
KAYEWELEH, GBARPOLU, Liberia—A non-for-profit organization, Life Development Relief Organization (LIDRO) is in partnership with an America nonprofit Organization Stella Girls based in (Maryland USA) have started an agriculture initiative here in the northwestern region.
The agricultural project is said to be self-supported and is intended to empower locals in various towns in district #2 of Gbarpolu to get involved in sustainable farming to help improve lives.
Speaking to this Reporter, the Chairperson of Kpayeawelleh farm, George S. Kollubah said they have been motivated by LIDRO and Stella Girls to get involve in production of corps to boas the agriculture sector and create jobs.
“In February this year, we started brushing this farm and now we have corn and cassava along with Banana growing up in the next six months, we will start to harvest our produce and market them,” Mr. Kollubah explained.
Mr. Kollubah is however, calling on the Ministry of Agriculture, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other agricultural institutions to empower them with agricultural materials and seeds which according to him will help enhanced their productivity.
“We have been encouraged by the Kpayeawelleh farmers work on their farm which we saw cassava, beans, banana, we are jealous about their farm and before this month ends we will be starting our farm as well,” Kubah B. Kollie, a resident of Geyeansuasue said.
Several towns in Gou’Nwolailai district in Gbarpolu County are expected to benefit from the Stella Girls and LIDRO agriculture project in the area.
According to the project coordinator in the district, Yarkpawolo Clan, the farmers are happy about the project and are willing to work with us.
“We are extending to other parts of the district and Gbarpolu at large, we will continue to engage people of high profile to aid our people”
For her part, LIDRO, Executive Director, Madam Rebecca Bestman Harris said five towns are targeted including Fahyapolu, Soa, Geyeasusue, Kpayeawelleh and Gbetelemu under the first phase of the project.
“They are actively involved into the production of crops like Cassava, banana, eddoes , plantain, corn and Beans but it will be done rotationally, those farms will help our farmers help themselves.” Madam Rebecca Bestman Harris CEO, LIDRO.
Madam, Rebecca Bestman Harris Chief Executive Officer, LIDRO said the project is a life-long initiative that will help empower farmers financially.
The LIDRO Chief Executive Officer is appealing to non-governmental and international Organizations including government to help support farming activities in Western Liberia.
“LIDRO and Stella Girls are seeking sponsorship nationally and internationally and we will be very glad to gather more support for our farmers”
Even the Gbarpolu County Legislative Cacus can also be a help to us by aiding our farmers with agriculture materials.
“Nobody will ever make this county a better place for us, we must work with each other from different sectors to developed it and improve lives.” CEO Harris noted.
Harris explained that they intend to take the project to make others parts of country for the purpose of impacting the lives of Liberians that part of the country.
Both Life Relief Development Organization and Stella Girls are both nonprofit Organizations helping to improve lives of women and School going Children.
In February of this year, both Organizations motivated farmers in Gbarpolu to start a self-initiative farming project which will birth the production of many consumable corps.