KAKATA, Margibi County — In the heart of Kakata, about 55 kilometers north of Monrovia, a young Liberian entrepreneur is quietly transforming small-scale farming through backyard aquaculture.
Franklin Workor, a zoology graduate from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, has turned his academic background into a thriving livelihood by focusing on fish farming.
While studying in Ghana, Workor developed a keen interest in agriculture as a practical complement to his studies. He now leads Global Crops and Animals Management (GCAM), a local initiative aimed at reducing poverty through job creation and sustainable agricultural practices.
In Margibi County, where rubber farming dominates due to the presence of Firestone and the former Socfin-owned Salala Rubber Corporation, Workor has taken a different path. At his residence in Gortumu Town, near City View Guest House in Kakata, he operates a compact but productive fish pond, advocating what he calls “backyard fish farming.”
Workor specializes in breeding catfish, selling to both local farmers and consumers. His pond, measuring 5 by 9 meters and 2.5 meters deep, produces fish that reach market size—between 1 and 7 kilograms—in about four to six months.
“Farming is a business,” Workor said, explaining that while most catfish can be harvested within nine to twelve months, some grow larger over an 18-month period.
Despite his success, Workor said backyard aquaculture remains costly and needs support to scale. He is appealing to both the government and private sector to help expand his operation to include other species, such as tilapia, and supply fingerlings to farmers across Liberia.
To formalize his efforts, he has established a cooperative and is in discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture for potential support.
In addition to fish farming, Workor is also cultivating high-yield cocoa, further reflecting his commitment to agricultural innovation and sustainability.
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