Published: August 1, 2025
YELLEQUELLEH DISTRICT, Bong County— Beyond the fertile fields of Yellequelleh District, Bong County, where the soil is rich and the passion for farming runs even deeper, Ms. Lovetta Lorpu Dolo is sowing the seeds of more than vegetables. She’s fostering confidence, resilience, and sustainability among Liberia’s smallholder vegetable farmers.
A graduate of Cuttington University College of Agriculture and Sustainable Development, Dolo serves as Field Coordinator for the European Institute of Cooperation and Development (IECD). She spearheads initiatives that empower local farmers with practical tools, hands-on training, and critical support needed to boost their productivity. “Knowledge is power,” she asserts. “We train farmers on how to properly prepare beds, rotate and intercrop crops, apply organic fertilizers, and manage composting. We even show them how to support their plants both physically and technically.”
IECD’s work extends beyond classroom lessons. The organization supplies essential inputs, seeds, tools, fertilizers, and organic manure to organized nine-member farmer groups across communities. These groups manage shared demonstration farms and then replicate the techniques on their individual plots, with IECD staff conducting routine follow-ups to monitor adoption and guide improvements.
“We’re witnessing transformation,” Dolo says. “When we visit their private farms, we can clearly see them applying what they’ve learned. That’s when we know we’re making a difference.”
From Soil to Stability: Farmers Reflect on Their Progress
Among the many farmers benefitting from this support is Jacob Parhmilin, a 39-year-old cultivator whose thriving cabbage farm in Yellequelleh District is financing his children’s education and sustaining his family.
“Farming isn’t just about dirt and sweat,” he says. “It’s honorable work. I don’t rely on a government job, my hands are enough to provide for my family.”
Starting with very little, Parhmilin is now a well-regarded grower of cabbage, pepper, and bitter balls. “IECD gave me seeds, tools, and knowledge. They taught us how to make compost, prune, stake, and properly space our crops. Even our demo sites are showing excellent results.”
The rewards are evident. “I’m sending my children to school from the income. We’ve started building our house and even opened a small shop, all from farming.”
But hurdles remain. The unpredictable effects of climate change loom large. “Intense heat or sudden rains can destroy everything,” Parhmilin says. “We still need better tools, fungicides, and proper storage. Right now, we store everything in our houses. If buyers don’t come quickly, we lose it all.”
Farming Through Adversity
Another farmer, Matthew F. David, shares these concerns. “We’re doing this on our own,” he says. “This farm feeds us, sends our kids to school, and keeps us alive.”
Yet, market access remains a constant challenge. “Sometimes the cabbage is ready, but no one shows up to buy. It just rots in the field.”
Storage is another major concern. “We need a warehouse to keep our harvests safe until buyers come,” David pleads. “For now, all we can do is pray.”
Despite these struggles, David remains grateful. “IECD gave us knowledge and supplies. That changed everything for us.”
A Quiet Agricultural Revolution
The effects of IECD’s work go beyond just farming techniques, they’ve inspired a spirit of self-reliance and long-term vision. Farmers who once survived on aid are now feeding their families and planning for the future.
Aaron Brown, a farmer in Gbono Town, turned to agriculture out of necessity. “My father didn’t send me to school,” he recalls. “So I turned to the land. Today, my farm pays for my child’s education.”
After four years in farming, Brown grows a variety of crops including cabbage, okra, bitter balls, and pepper, and credits IECD for helping him improve. “They taught us how to plant correctly, space crops, and apply fertilizer. But we still need storage and more fertilizer support. If there’s no buyer when the cabbage matures, we lose everything.”
An Urgent Call for Support
While Liberia continues to rely heavily on imported food, often of poor quality, these farmers are raising their voices with a clear message: empowerment through agriculture is the answer.
“Agriculture is the backbone of every nation,” says Dolo. “If we equip our farmers with the right tools and training, Liberia can be self-sufficient.”
Farmers agree. “The government can’t do it alone,” David says. “We need storage, chemicals, tools, and buyers. With that, we can feed our communities.”
IECD’s contributions are making a difference, but the broader agricultural ecosystem still needs significant investment. The farmers are doing their part through sunshine and rain, armed with resilience and wheelbarrows full of hope and cabbage.
As David concludes: “We don’t just grow food,we grow the future.”
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