SUAKOKO DISTRICT, Bong County – In a quiet corner of Sergeant Kollie’s Town (SKT), a determined Liberian farmer is taking on one of the country’s most pressing public health and economic challenges: dependence on imported meat.
Joe N. Kermon, affectionately known as “Joe the Goat,” has become a symbol of resilience and innovation in Liberia’s agricultural sector. From modest beginnings in 1999 after graduating high school without the means to attend college, Kermon turned to livestock farming to make a living—and ended up creating a thriving enterprise.
Today, his farm boasts nearly 50 goats, 36 sheep, and a growing poultry operation. His business has not only supported his family—educating five children and funding the construction of a five-bedroom home in Kakata—but also contributed to improving food security in a country flooded with questionable frozen imports.
Challenging Imported Meat with Local Quality
Kermon’s commitment to raising clean, chemical-free meat comes at a time when concerns over imported poultry and beef are escalating. Most frozen meat products, especially chicken, arrive in Liberia laden with preservatives and additives.
“These imported meats are full of grease and chemicals. They cause sickness,” Kermon said. “My animals are raised naturally. They are healthier for our people.”
Health experts agree. Joseph N. Kodah Sr., president of the Liberia Poultry Federation, recently warned that imported meat products are contributing to rising rates of hypertension, kidney failure, and skin diseases nationwide.
Lessons from Loss: A Business Shaped by Integrity
Kermon’s path has not been without missteps. Early in his career, he unknowingly bought stolen animals, leading to police trouble and financial loss. Instead of quitting, he adapted.
“I no longer buy at night or from the roadside,” he said. “I only buy within the community, where people know each other and the sellers can be verified.”
Now, all his livestock transactions are documented with videos. He has also built strong relationships with local police and invested in a secure warehouse made of wood and metal to protect his animals.
Feeding, Fighting Disease, and Facing Nature
Livestock farming in Liberia remains tough, particularly due to persistent disease outbreaks. One such threat is Newcastle disease—locally called “chicken sickness”—which spreads rapidly during the rainy season and kills birds within days.
“It’s painful,” Kermon said, recalling times he lost up to 10 animals in a single outbreak. Yet he continues to adapt—rotating natural feed such as cassava, “iron leaf,” and “bonhomme leaf” to protect animal health and prevent digestive problems.
“I spend about 500 Liberian dollars a day on feed, but it’s worth it to keep them healthy,” he said.
He also hires young men in the community to help collect wild feed, creating jobs while cutting costs.
A Model for Liberia’s Agricultural Future
According to the 2024 Agricultural Census by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), there are more than 67,000 goats and nearly 500,000 chickens currently being raised nationwide. While that growth is promising, challenges persist—chief among them, limited veterinary care, poor fencing, and lack of regulation on meat imports.
Farmers like Kermon, who have managed to thrive despite these obstacles, offer a blueprint for how Liberia could achieve food self-sufficiency. But they can’t do it alone.
“We need more land, more fencing wire, better access to medicine and vaccinations,” he said. “With the right help, we can scale up and supply even more healthy meat to Liberians.”
Bridging the Trade Gap with Local Solutions
Kermon’s business contributes to solving another major issue: Liberia’s widening trade deficit. In 2024, the country imported goods worth $1.61 billion but exported only $1.03 billion, leaving a gap of $580 million, according to LISGIS.
Supporting farmers like Kermon could not only reduce health risks from imported meat but also stimulate the domestic economy and reduce dependency on foreign products.
A Vision for the Future
Kermon remains optimistic. His farm is open for business and partnership.
“If anyone wants to partner with me or see what I do, come to Sandtown,” he said. “Look for the billboard with my name and pictures of my animals. I’m right across from the only storey building in the area.”
In a country where globalization and poor regulation have made imported food both common and risky, “Joe the Goat” is proving that local ingenuity and persistence can offer a healthier, more sustainable path forward.
“Support local. Eat clean. Build Liberia,” he said.
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