Published: November 14, 2025
Members of CCWSEA working at the rice site in Pleebo
PLEEBO, Maryland County – Women farmers of Corporative Community Women Self Empowerment and Advocacy (CCWSEA) in Pleebo, Maryland County have raised concerns over the potential health risks of working in the swamp without rain boots and other protective gears to carry out their rice cultivation.
During a one-day group discussion with ActionAid Liberia’s team conducting an impact assessment review of the Smallholder Agriculture Development and Food Nutrition Security (SADFONS), Madam Marie Woart, leader of the women rice farmers said she and women of the network have been working under unsafe conditions and are calling on the management of SADFONS without the necessary protective materials.
“We want to continue planting more rice and we even want to make the farm big, but the work we do in this swamp, we can go inside it to work without rainboot, no gloves, we have to double about 5 to 6 socks, and all kinds of things are in this swamp.” Marie explained.
Marie and her network member say they’re working under tough and unsaved conditions. “We work with our bare hands and bare feet as you are seeing us doing right now, we are just helping ourselves because we want to support our children in school,” she added.
Madam Woart told the ActionAid Team that team that the Smallholder Agriculture Development for Food and Nutrition Security (SADFONS) project only provided them with rice that was placed on nursery without farming tools or protective gear.
She said, though they appreciate the rice provided them I 2024 they fear that the lack of safety gears puts them a risk of contracting illnesses that which could undermine their productivity and wellbeing.
Another farmer, Helena K. Appleton, expressed similar frustration.
“When the people came, the only thing we saw them was when were was dividing the rice plots and building the bunds (irrigation structure) with the cement and they never give us any tools to work with.”
Appleton further called on SADFONS and its funding partner, the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), to provide the farmers with adequate tools, treatment, and better storage facilities.
“We need tools for this swamp work. It’s full of sickness. Sometimes when we work in the swamp, our skin starts itching and spots appear on our bodies,” she said.
But went on to say “We need medicines, machines, and a place to store our tools and produce. Even if they can build an office or storage house for us, it will really help.”
During the assessment tour, Maryland County Agriculture Coordinator, Mr. Peter Klah, said his office continues to provide technical support to local farmers and encouraged them to see farming as a business.
He highlighted challenges in the procurement process for farming materials and equipment, emphasizing the need for timely supply.
“SADFONS is doing well and has made a great impact on vulnerable women through economic and nutritional empowerment,” Mr. Klah said. “But one of the major challenges is the delay in procurement. Timely supply of materials is necessary when farmers receive tools on time, they can be more effective and productive.”
Mr. Klah also called for the improvement of irrigation systems to prevent flooding, which he said had recently discouraged some farmers due to crop damage.
“The project is making an impact in the lives of women, especially single mothers,” he added.
The ongoing impact assessment by ActionAid Liberia focuses on evaluating the achievements of the SADFONS project under the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP). The three-day exercise, which began on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, is expected to climax on Friday, November 14, 2025, in Maryland County.
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