By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: The Union of Southeastern Farmers Federation (USEFF), compressing Sinoe, Grand Kru, Maryland, River Gee and Grand Gedeh Counties has applauded government for prioritizing agriculture in its ARREST Agenda.
USEFF also lauded the Ministry of Agriculture for the smart steps taken to decentralize agriculture across the country.
The group calls on the Agriculture Minister to be the Minister of every farmer.
Farmers in the above mentioned counties are optimistic that they would get the necessary assistance that will increase their productivities.
Speaking to some locals who participated in USEFF first engagement, they expressed their willingness for collaboration, and appreciation, referring to the move by USEFF as a time for southeastern farmers’ emancipation.
They are hopeful that the SUEFF Movement came at a time when they need such advocacy group that can represent them before national government.
Though other groups been coming to our community for collaboration but the move by USEFF cannot be over emphasize, terming it as a well-organized team.
The farmers, through their local chapter Chair, Author Nyepyne, used the occasion to call on the Ministry of Agriculture, through its Minister, Alexander Nuateh, to insure that agriculture support be felt in every part of Liberia.
They said since the presidency of President Joseph Boakai, farmers in Southeast Liberia are yet to feel the impact of agricultural resurrection.
The farmers noted that lot of good things are being said about the sector but southeasterners are still waiting and remain hopeful government promises.
Nyepyne, who is a former agriculture instructor at the State run University, underscored the need for proper evaluation of agriculture officers to be assigned by the ministry.
He furthered indicate that in the absent of getting the right people to be assigned in designated areas, it will be hard for government to achieve its agriculture component of the ARREST agenda.
The local farmers believe that under the leadership of the President Boakai, no famer will be left behind point.
They stated that for too long agriculture business has not been taking seriously in the country.
For his part, lead organizer of the USEFF Movement, Isaiah B Dapaye told news men that his team is currently carrying out “awareness, sensitization and recruitment” of farmers across the region.
He noted that his team is expected to complete this process I the third week in December 2024 .
Thereafter, the group hopes to share information with potential and relevant institutions and actors including government agencies, through the Ministry of Agriculture, development partners, and the business communities (banks and potential investors) to rally for supports for the initiative.
According to Dapaye, the USEFF Initiative is a Regional Movement aim to supporting the Liberia Government ARREST Agenda but said, his concentration is on the agriculture component of the ARREST Agenda, and with the purpose of empowering local farmers to contribute to the country food security and sufficiency.
According to the USEFF Steering Committee Chair, farmers in the five named counties will be placed in categories, according to the kind of crops, and that each farmer is producing in a particular community making it easier for project achievable in said community.
Dapaye further noted that USEFF has four support groups including the members themselves through their registration fees, the Government of Liberia, the business community and international partners or donors.
He said these sources will be reached through a developed project proposal and business plans that would attract attention for supports.
According to him, his team recruited over one thousand farmers both in Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties.
The group has collected data on each farmer per town or communities and they are now heading for Maryland, Rive Gee and Grand Gedeh Counties.
Dapaye however swanked that the exercise his team is doing by reaching every village and town across these counties, to collect accurate data on farmers in these counties can be a tool for government and sector partners to identify and initial projects; adding that his team is using it mega resources to reach high to reach places because they want to establish reality about farmers in their communities.
The USEFF Team Lead use the medium to underscore the need for a close collaboration between counties agriculture coordinators and extension officers assigned in these counties; citing that with working together in such collaboration, will be an instrument for government and citizens’ economic resurrection pointing to neighboring Ivory Coast an example.
