By Staff Writer
The Hawomah Agriculture Cooperative Society in Zelekai Town, Senjeh District, Bomi County, has expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture of Liberia and international partners for their support through the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P).
“STAR-P has been a game-changer for us,” said Madam Korpoe Momolu, the chairwoman of the cooperative, as she praised the project for providing them with a grant exceeding 95,000 USD.
“This support has enabled us to procure agricultural inputs and farming equipment, including tractors, power tillers, rice mills, and rice threshers,” she specified.Madam Momolu emphasized the impact of STAR-P’s support, noting that it has enabled them to establish connections with markets and buyers for their locally produced rice.
She underscored the significance of training women and young people to operate the farming equipment, along with the necessity for mechanisms for regular field visits and equipment maintenance, as they lack the expertise to do so.James B. Kollie, the County Focal Person (CFP) of STAR-P in Bomi County, echoed Madam Momolu’s sentiments, thanking the Hawomah Agriculture Cooperative Society and other STAR-P beneficiaries in Bomi County for their dedication.
“I urge other farmers in the county to leverage the project, as it is presently enlisting hundreds of additional farmers who meet the recruitment criteria,” he added.
The STAR Project aims to enhance agricultural productivity and commercialization of smallholder farmers for selected value chains in designated counties of Liberia. It is expected to directly benefit 38,000 smallholder farmers, with 40 percent being women and 35 percent youth.Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture through its Program Management Unit (PMU), the project receives support from the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).The Liberia Media for Democratic Initiatives (LMDI) is executing the Communication for Development (C4D) component of the project through a consultancy, further amplifying the project’s impact and outreach.
