-As they launch rice farming project
By Tokpa Tarnue in Voinjama, Liberia
As Liberia continues to rely on import of its staple food, rice, a group of women under the banner Lofa United Women for Sustainable Development has embarked on a rice farming project in Voinjama, Lofa County.
Lofa is situated in northwestern Liberia and was once considered Liberia’s bread basket.
Official statistics today show that Liberia imports over US$200 million worth of rice every year from mainly Asian countries.
But speaking to this Reporter on Tuesday on their farm land on the outskirts of Voinjama, the Chairperson of the Lofa United Women for Sustainable Development Sonnie Jallah disclosed that their initiative is to ensure that Lofa can again regain her pre-war status as the bread basket of Liberia.
The women’s group, comprising over one hundred members from the various districts, was established in 2014 with the purpose of promoting unity as women by engaging in agricultural programs.
According to Madam Jallah, the idea of formulating the group came from Lofa County former Assistant Superintendent for Development Madam Younger Sherman.
She said since the formation of the group in 2014, they have undertaken several farming projects in the county which has helped them as women in contributing greatly to the growth of their individual families.
Madam Sonnie Jallah praised Mr. John Selma and Mr. Momo Cyrus for their initial support to the current project and called on other well-meaning Lofans and lawmakers of the county to give them more support, in order for them to realize their dreams.
“If only we are fully supported, we will ensure to limit the importation of rice into Lofa by growing more food that could feed our county and country at large,” Madam Sonnie Jallah said.
She encouraged other people from Lofa to engage the reach soil in the county as a means of sustaining their families and not to continue being liability to others.
The women, who were seen in a jubilant mood, described the soil as a bank and underscored the need to invest in it as a country.
Studies have shown that women are shaping the rural economy in developing countries- they contribute as farmers, laborers, and entrepreneurs.
Recent studies done by the World Farmers Organization (WFO) reveal that the majority of the world’s farmers are women and they cover a wide variety of roles. Yet, what is striking is that women face greater difficulties and constraints than their male counterparts with regards to land ownership, access to credit, markets, technology, seeds, water, information and education and other services.
These disparities must be corrected as it is estimated that women produce up to 80 percent of the world’s food.
The World Farmers Organization aims to promote the formation and strengthening of women producer organizations and ensure that women have a voice within mixed organizations.