By: Ernest Kpehe Moibah, Jr.| Bomi County
Alasala area of Suehn Mecca District, Bomi County |June 2, 2026|A women-led agricultural cooperative in Bomi County has placed more than 50,000 cocoa seedlings on the market in an effort to support rural farmers, increase agricultural production, and strengthen local economic development.
The Human Initiative Agriculture Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society of Liberia, located in the Alasala area of Suehn Mecca District, says the project is designed to encourage more Liberians to invest in cocoa farming as a reliable source of income.
According to the cooperative, expanding cocoa cultivation can help improve livelihoods for farming families while creating new economic opportunities in rural communities.
Speaking to the Rural Reporters News Network, Chairperson Josiah Varney described cocoa farming as an important pathway to financial independence for rural farmers.
Varney said the cooperative has made the cocoa seedlings affordable and negotiable so that smallholder farmers can easily obtain quality planting materials and expand their farms.
To further support agricultural growth, the cooperative has also established another nursery containing 23,000 cocoa seedlings that are expected to be released in the coming months.
Beyond cocoa production, the group is investing in lowland rice and cucumber farming to improve food security and create additional sources of income for its members and neighboring communities.
The cooperative is made up of more than 35 women who are actively involved in agricultural activities and community development efforts.
Members are also preparing to begin construction of an office building to strengthen the organization’s operations.
Leaders of the cooperative are calling on government institutions, development partners, and private organizations to support agricultural initiatives that promote rural development and economic empowerment.
Varney emphasized that transparency and accountability remain central to the cooperative’s work and urged greater investment in agriculture.
Members believe that supporting farming initiatives can create jobs, increase food production, improve household incomes, and contribute to long-term development in communities across Bomi County and Liberia.
