Oxfam has worked in south-east Liberia since 2008, including piloting a rice project in Grand Gedeh county, which cultivated 1,500 acres of land, rehabilitated a concrete dam for rice irrigation, and established a rice mill. This project aims to scale up ongoing initiatives in Grand Gedeh and extend them to River Gee county.
We will work with 15 communities alongside our local partners: Amenu, a farmers' co-operative with around 2,000 members; and Catalyst, which has overseen dam construction and land development. We will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, who will continue to support related initiatives including training (particularly of women farmers), developing land, and promoting co-operatives.
This project will particularly focus on ensuring that women farmers are able to develop as leaders and have equal access to resources.
Project aims
- Improve food security and increase rice and vegetables production for home consumption and sale, by establishing irrigation systems, and supporting farmers with training and improved seeds.
- Boost farmers' incomes - particularly of women - by improving marketing opportunities and growers' business skills.
- Ensure the sustainability of irrigation and rice-processing facilities by providing management and maintenance training.