The REALISE Project officially launched it’s the agriculture component of the REALISE Project was launched on Friday aiming to enhance food security across eight counties in Liberia.
The event, held in Vehyipa, a village on the outskirts of Sanniquellie—known for its agricultural productivity, drew a guest list that included government officials, community members, and representatives from key international development partners.
Chief Launcher Julius Sele, the Executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), led the ceremony.
He urged residents to leverage the opportunities presented by the REALISE Project (Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment )to encourage local food production and to reduce reliance on imported rice.
“Take full advantage of the opportunities the government is offering through the REALISE Project and focus on growing more local food to reduce the significant burden of purchasing imported rice,” Sele advised.
Highlighting the importance of self-sufficiency, Sele added, “When we grow our own food, we gain control over the choices we make regarding what we consume in our homes.”
He also stressed the need for farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural techniques, warning them to be cautious of the environmental impact of their practices. “Be mindful not to indiscriminately cut down trees, and instead, make better use of lowland areas to enhance your yields,” he advised.
The ceremony was also attended by Youth and Sports Minister Cllr. Cole Bangalu, Nimba County Superintendent Kou Gono, and representatives from the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD), both significant financiers of the project.
They expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting sustainability and self-sufficiency among the local farming communities.
The REALISE Project is funded by the World Bank, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Government of Liberia, aimed at improving livelihoods through various sectors, with agriculture being a crucial component.
The project are pivotal for empowering local farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the nation.
