Farmers in Big Suehn, Grand Kru County, have called for additional agricultural support as they cultivate five acres of lowland rice under the Ministry of Agriculture supported initiative through the STAR-PES Project.
The initiative is to increase local rice production, promote farming activities, and strengthen food security.
Barclayville District Agriculture Officer, Joel Kaffey, disclosed in an interview on Monday, October 26, that the program is being implemented in Big Suehn, Wedabo and Gblegbo.
The intervention is to create opportunities for the farmers to expand rice cultivation, and make productive use of available lowland areas.
While welcoming the initiative, farmers in Big Suehn expressed optimism that the project could improve agricultural activities, and contribute to their livelihoods.
However, they stressed that access to farmland alone would not be sufficient to achieve the desired results without additional assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The farmers have meanwhile, appealed for farming tools, improved rice seeds, technical assistance, and other essential agricultural inputs to support cultivation and increase productivity.
They noted that sustained government support would maximize the potential of the five-acre farmland, and contribute meaningfully to local food production.
The STAR-PES-supported initiative forms part of efforts to promote agriculture in the county, where increased local production could reduce the dependence on imported food.
As implementation progresses in Big Suehn, Wedabo, and Gblegbo, farmers’ access to essential agricultural resources is likely to be an important factor in determining the project’s overall impact.
The announcement has raised expectations among residents of the affected communities, many of whom rely on roads for transportation, commerce, healthcare, education, and access to other essential services.
Of particular importance is the Barclayville/Grandcess Road, which connects communities to the referral hospital. Improved road conditions could facilitate the transportation of patients, support the movement of healthcare workers, and ease access to medical services, particularly during emergencies and the rainy season.
