Empowering Farmers, Improving Access To Clean Water -Govt-UNDP Impact Rural Communities

Across Liberia, the positive impact of projects supported and managed by UNDP in partnership with the government and other donors on local communities is evident. Through strategic interventions focused on agriculture, water, and sanitation, some of these projects are transforming the lives of rural communities, including those in Bong, Nimba, and Lofa counties.

Kpatolee Agriculture Cooperative in Felehla, Bong County shares an interesting testimony of the success of the government-funded Accelerated Community Development Programme (ACDP) through its Chairperson Joseph Fahn. Fahn narrated a remarkable journey so far since the intervention of the ACDP managed by UNDP in the area, describing the interventions as significant and improving productivity through such a collaboration. Fahn first recounted the role of ACDP/UNDP in the community, and the cooperative in general. “Within a short time, we secured $20,000 from the ACDP and the UNDP program, to purchase land to construct a multipurpose office that includes our storage facility/warehouse. This was just the beginning of our journey towards growth, development, and sustainability,” he said. Fahn also mentioned the leadership and skills training provided under the project that has helped the cooperative members to understand how to manage a successful and sustainable institution. “This capacity-building support has been critical to empowering smallholder farmers, particularly in enhancing the cooperative management skills and agriculture practices. Moreover, farming equipment, including tractors, power tillers, and other tools provided by the project to improve our farming practices and mode of operation has also made a significant difference, bringing us to a better place now than before,” Joseph explained. He said the cooperative is working on 30-acre farmland to be harvested by April 1st this year. “The Cooperative members put a lot into this farm, planting varieties of crops. Women, youths, the young, and old are fully involved. You see older women carrying bricks, fetching water, and working tirelessly, you won’t believe they are volunteers. We are passionate about what we do and the support from the government and its partners including UNDP makes us thrive,” Fahn continued. The Kpatolee Agriculture Cooperative Chairperson said the cooperative plans to build a guest house to accommodate visitors during important events and ceremonies. “This will become a center for progress. After some years, this will become a hub for progress and together we can make it happen,” he optimistically stressed.  Despite the gains, challenges remain unavoidable, as Fahn stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive assessment to determine additional support needed.