Published: January 24, 2025
MONROVIA – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, has called on Liberians to embrace lowland rice farming as a sustainable solution to protect forests, reduce dependence on imported food, and strengthen the economy.
He also appealed to major buyers, such as Mary’s Meals, the World Food Program (WFP), and other stakeholders, to purchase rice from local farmers to help them reinvest in their farms and improve their livelihoods.
“I am deeply impressed by the work being done here,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said. “This cooperative is not just growing rice—they are demonstrating how we can protect our forests, build food security, and create better futures for our families. Lowland farming aligns with the President’s ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes agriculture and environmental conservation.”
While lauding the efforts of the cooperative, Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized the need for more buyers to support local rice producers. He urged organizations such as Mary’s Meals and the WFP, as well as individuals and businesses, to purchase rice from the Kwapageh Cooperative.
“Farmers need reliable buyers to thrive,” he stressed. “When you buy from them, you empower them to reinvest in their farms, educate their children, and build better lives. We must all work together to support these hardworking Liberians.”
To demonstrate his support, Dr. Yarkpawolo praised the cooperative’s dedication and purchased rice from them.
He made the statement over the weekend during a visit to Garmu Town in Panta District #4, Bong County, where he met with the Kwapageh Cooperative Chairman, Francis T. Pilawoe.
For his part, Chairman Pilawoe reflected on the group’s journey and acknowledged the government’s recent support through Liberia’s Agriculture Minister, Dr. Alexander Nuetah.
“This is the first time we’ve received such significant backing from the government,” Pilawoe said. “It has made a big difference in what we’re able to achieve. Minister Nuetah has empowered us by ensuring that the rice we produce belongs entirely to us, giving us the freedom to grow and sell independently.”
However, Pilawoe pointed out their biggest challenge: finding buyers for their rice.
“Without buyers, it’s hard to move forward,” Pilawoe explained. “We’re appealing to the government, businesses, and organizations to buy locally grown rice. This support would not only keep us farming but also reduce Liberia’s dependence on imported food.”
Pilawoe also emphasized the importance of agriculture as a path to economic and environmental sustainability.
“Agriculture is not just planting seeds—it’s securing a future for our children and our country,” Pilawoe said.
The cooperative, which began in 2012 with support from the WFP, has cultivated 11.8 of its 69 hectares of land for lowland rice farming in Bong County.
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