MONROVIA: The Community of Hope Agriculture Project (CHAP), under the National Executing Entity, (NEE-CHAP), has begun scaling up of Climate Resilient Rice Production Project organized by (RICOWAS) in Liberia.
The initiative has been funded by the Adaptation Fund through the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS).
From September 2 to 23, 2024, CHAP conducted a Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop, organized by RICOWAS across six project zones in Liberia.
The training involves 90 lead farmers and extension staffs from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).
It covered various aspects of Climate Resilient Rice Production (CRRP), including the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), farm planning, gender considerations, nursery management, documentation, GPS usage, transplanting techniques, and farm management.
The farmers that are being trained by CHAP through the RICOWAS. They are being trained as trainers and are expected to train other farmers in their counties bordering on SRI/CRRP methods of farming.
The SRI/CRRP methods of farming is to help local farmers take advantage of low land farming in order to increase rice production that will help boost food security.
The project is aimed at promoting, improving and enhancing food security and boosting the agriculture sector of Liberia, empowering local farmers to take advantage of low land farming in order to produce more rice to help feed citizens in the Country.
The RICOWAS project, an initiative aimed at scaling up rice production, is supported by The Adaptation Fund and managed by the Organization for Sustainable Solutions (OSS), under the supervision of the Government of Liberia (GOL), through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Zonal Development (MOAZ).
The project covers 13 West African nations and it focuses on boosting climate resilience and increasing rice production for smallholder farmers.
In Liberia, RICOWAS targets 13,620 farmers, covering 2,641 hectares across six project zones.
The project’s primary goal is to enhance the climate resilience of rice systems and improve production.
As part of its training efforts, RICOWAS is conducting a training of trainers (TOT) in Montserrado County and five other project zones.
This training will focus on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Climate Resilient Rice Production (CRRP).
Fifteen participants, including Extension Agents and Lead Farmers, will be trained to enhance their skills and knowledge.
The objectives of the TOT include: Enhancing the capacity of 15 extension agents and lead farmers. Strengthening the skills of extension service providers and farmers in the six project zones.
Enabling extension agents to train other local farmers in their counties.
- Providing extension service providers with comprehensive knowledge on SRI and CRRP methods.
The training was held in the following zones including Bong County covering 500 hectares of low land, with 2,000 farmers benefiting; Lofa County, covering 700 hectares of low land, with 4,000 farmers benefiting; Bomi County, covering 500 hectares of low land, with 3,000 farmers benefiting.
Others are Nimba County, covering 700 hectares of low land, with 4,000 farmers benefiting; Grand Gedeh, covering 241 hectares of low land, with 420 farmers benefiting.
Other also includes Montserrado County, covering 100 hectares of low land, with 200 farmers benefiting.
Selection criteria for the trainers include residency in the project zones, willingness to train others, literacy, active involvement in lowland rice farming or extension services, and readiness to implement CRRP/SRI training.
The RICOWAS project is focused on cultivating 2,741 hectares of lowlands and working with 13,620 farmers to promote innovations that enhance yields and reduce production costs.
The project is also supported by the Government of Liberia, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, Cornell University, INER-Mali, and CHAP.
It operates across 13 West African countries, aiming to improve lowland rice farming and bolster local agricultural practices.
Farmers Express Gratitude for SRI/CRRP Workshop and Commit to Training Others.
Farmers across six Liberian counties have expressed immense satisfaction and gratitude following a recent workshop conducted by RICOWAS and CHAP.
The workshop introduced them to the SRI/CRRP farming method, which was new to them but received with enthusiasm.
The farmers described the SRI/CRRP technique, which emphasizes planting less and growing more, as a revolutionary approach in their farming practices.
They committed to training fellow farmers in their communities and neighboring towns on this method, aiming to enhance rice production and bolster the agricultural sector in Liberia.
In addition, the farmers are calling for further training sessions from RICOWAS and CHAP.
They believe additional knowledge and skills will significantly improve rice production and contribute to the country’s food security.
The initiative is expected to help increase local food production and support Liberia’s agricultural development.
