World Bank Delegation Pledges Support For FMCS Rice Field In Bong Mines.
Monrovia, Liberia – In an effort to support Liberia’s agricultural growth, a World Bank group visited the rice fields of the Fuamah Multipurpose Cooperative Society (FMCS) on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
The Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP) and the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) were initially seen by the crew during the field visit.
Renaud Seligmann, the Bank’s Regional Director for Strategy and Operations, led the group, which emphasized the World Bank’s dedication to improving food security and assisting regional farmers by means of sustainable rice production and other agricultural projects.
For local farmers getting government assistance through the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to enhance their farming practices, the FMCS, situated in Bong Mines, Bong County, has been a place of hope.
With more than 986 members, the cooperative has played a significant role in the region’s attempts to boost rice production. In Liberia, where demand for locally farmed rice has increased recently, rice is a basic diet.
But when the World Bank group arrived, they were welcomed by excited cooperative members who discussed their experiences with RETRAP and STAR-P and displayed their rice fields.
The team saw the cooperative’s rice fields during the excursion, which were thriving because of the project’s assistance. The group joined the farmers in harvesting their already-ripe rice since they were so amazed by the amount of effort being done on the field.
Prince Peters, the head of the cooperative, thanked the World Bank for its assistance, emphasizing how the initiative had improved the lives of several local farmers.
“In addition to increasing our rice output, the support we have received through RETRAP and STAR-P has given us more authority as farmers, for which we are thankful. We can now provide for our family and support the community,” he explained.
Despite the advancements, Peters appealed to the WB team to assist them in constructing an irrigation system at the field, which would allow them to produce more rice each year.
In order to assist the government program in increasing agricultural production and market access for smallholder farmers and agri-enterprises for certain value chains in Liberia, the World Bank launched the RETRAP and STAR-P in 2021.
Through funding and instruction in contemporary agricultural methods, the initiatives also aimed to provide farmers access to better seeds, fertilizer, and resources, allowing them to pool resources and exchange information.
“I am excited to be here today, to witness the tremendous works all of you local farmers are doing for your country, Liberia,” said Renaud Seligmann, the Bank’s regional director for strategy and operations.
“And given the advancements thus far, we are dedicated to helping local farmers and making sure they have the resources and know-how they need. The Fuamah Multipurpose Cooperative Society’s success is proof of what can be accomplished when farmers collaborate and get the proper assistance,” he said.
In addition, Seligmann stated, “We are committed to working with the government to develop solutions that will empower farmers and enhance their livelihoods.” He also promised that the World Bank will continue to assist regional agricultural programs.
Moses Gbayan, the Deputy Agriculture Minister for Technical Services, expressed gratitude to the World Bank team for their assistance to local farmers and promised the government’s ongoing support to reinforce the Bank’s efforts.
The Bank group spent time interacting with cooperative members, learning about their goals and sharing their experiences, thus the visit to the FMCS rice fields was not just about evaluating agricultural techniques but also about interacting with the community.
A highlight of the tour was a demonstration of the rice field’s harvesting, when cooperative members shared their expertise and abilities with the party.
Through practical experience, the World Bank team was able to understand the importance of rice growing in Liberia and the influence that STAR-P and RETRAP have had on the farmers.
With plans to boost rice production and investigate new markets for their products, the FMCS is now aiming to expand its operations, and the cooperative members were feeling optimistic as the World Bank group wrapped up their tour.
