Monrovia – Brac-Liberia, a Bangladeshi agro-based organization operating in Liberia has received a 1.5 Million Euros project gear toward addressing food and nutrition security to help end hunger in Liberia.
Report by Edwin G. Genoway, Jr – [email protected]
The money was given to Brac by the European Union to fight or address food security including hunger and nutrition in Liberia.
The project, which is expected to commence early next year, will be implemented in six counties: Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Grand Bassa, Montserrado, Margibi and Bong Counties.
Preparating ahead of the launch of the 2 year project, Brac has embarked on a workshop that seek to sensitize farmers and stakeholders in the country’s agricultural sector on food and nutrition security across the six selected Counties. Brac recently ended the first one day inception workshop.
Speaking recently at the first workshop in Bentol, Montserrado County, Brac-Liberia senior manager Emmanur Shikder said the project will focus on supporting poor farmers who are facing difficulties.
He said farmers will be empowered with basic agricultural tools to enhance crop and animal production to improve food and nutrition security for the strengthening of the Liberian economy.
‘’Our project’s mission is to support the poor and food production and nutrition insecure to react to crises and strengthen resilience in Liberia,’’ Mr. Shikder said.
“This project will strive to improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by developing resilient agriculture, resilient markets and resilient people who are able to generate diverse livelihoods that provide stable incomes and adequate food and nutrition in the face of recurrent stresses and stocks,’’ Mr. Shikder further noted.
For his part, A. K. M. Rafiqul Islam, manager of agriculture department at Brac-Liberia said the project will target 7,501 farming households across the 6 counties, and is expected to visit and consult with 50 senior government officials and 90 market actors to form part of the activities of the project.
“Before this project ends in 2018, 390 most vulnerable household groups will be engaged in cash for work,1625 poor households will receive training in poultry and livestock rearing, and the capacity of 5200 smallholder farmers will be built on climate smart agriculture technologies,’’ Mr. Islam said.
He said 26 agricultural entrepreneurs will be developed, 2,340 pregnant and lactating women from above households will be trained on improved nutrition at household level.
For his part, Agriculture Coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Edward S. Fatorma called on farmers to continue the rearing of goats, sheep, cows, pigs among other domestic animals. Mr. Fatorma noted that the constant importation of livestock into the country is not a healthy practice for Liberia’s agriculture sector.
“Share your knowledge with someone and help each other as you try to produce more food and other agriculture products for either commercial or subsistence purpose,’’ he said, adding that Liberians need to be more innovative as they approach the farming sector.
Also speaking, Mr. Thompson N. W. Chea, the agriculture coordinator at Bong County’s Superintendent’s office said “Brac’s initiatives are boost to Liberia as the country strives to eliminate hunger through productive and sustainable agro-based activities.”
‘’The Superintendent’s office, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture has already called on all Districts in Bong to cultivate not less than 100 acres each of whatever agriculture products,’’ Mr. Chea said.
He commended Brac-Liberia for contributing towards the nation’s freedom from food poverty and the enhancement of a viable economic sector.
The Bentol’s workshop brought together farmers, government officials and small business owners.
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