The Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) has finally structured the leadership of the first post-war community seed bank established by the RESADE Liberia project in the Gorzohn community located in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

Improving agricultural Resilience to Salinity through the Development and promotion of pro-poor technologies and management strategies (RESADE), the Seed Bank is a step forward to save local biodiversity.

The chairperson of the Rise and Shine Cooperative, Mary Bryant welcomed participants at the stakeholder engagement specifically the RESADE Liberia team for organizing the meeting to structure the leadership of the community seed bank for farmers in Grand Bassa County.

She expressed explicit confidence in the CDA in structuring the leadership of the first community seed bank for farmers in the county to access quality seeds for planting. 

In his introductory statement, Harris B. Wennie, Director of Project and Program at the CDA, informed the six farmers’ organizations recommended to the agency that to manage the community seed bank properly, it is required of the organizations to have a structured leadership to spearhead the bank's affairs.

According to the CDA Director, the agency offers training in leadership skills, financial management, and business planning to strengthen coops, and it advises the government on matters related to the establishment and development of coops. 

This body conducts audits to ensure cooperatives adhere to fiscal discipline, accountability, and transparency. “These efforts,” he emphasized, “aim to boost agricultural productivity and contribute to Liberia’s economic growth.”

After a consultative meeting led by Joyce Kolvah, County Agriculture Coordinator, and the CDA Director of Project and Program, sharecroppers agreed that the chairpersons of the six farmers’ organizations conduct the affairs of the community seed bank. 

He encouraged all members of various famers’ organizations captured in the RESADE project to work with the new leadership to go through the registration process. “Push us, so we can push these people to help you.”

Sam Williams, chairperson of the Dololayjay Cooperative is serving as chaplain, Patience G. Kpan from the United Women Cooperative takes on the position of treasurer, followed by Nancy Bryant from the Rise and Shine Cooperative as secretary general, Hellen Gbaywood from Love and Unity Cooperative serving as co-chairperson while David Kogbah assumes the role of the chairperson to steer the affairs of the community seed bank. The RESADE Liberia team assured the new leadership of its commitment in steering the affairs of the farmers’ seed bank.

The CDA reminded participants that as important as it is, the composition of the Board of Advisory is expected to take place after consultations with various stakeholders. 

Dr. James S. Dolo, RESADE Liberia coordinator, said this project has brought more benefits to the farmers in Grand Bassa County evident by human resource development through skills training, resource mobilization, farm machinery to enhance production capacity and value addition as well as community seed bank and best practices, among others. The community seed bank gives farmers the opportunity to regularly assess variety of crops, process their seeds and storage, raising awareness, and sharing knowledge. 

“There are lots of benefits and support attach to community seed bank. When you say seed bank, it is not small money making thing you see here. This comes with many opportunities for you people,” Dr. Dolo reemphasized. 

Amidst applause, the project lead who is also a senior researcher at CARI, promised the farmers that the project has planned to support the ongoing registration process to transform the farmers’ organizations into coops. 

In a statement also, William Vonyegar, Dean of Agriculture and Food Science at the Grand Bassa County University, informed the farmers to cultivate the lowlands that cut across Buchanan and its environs. 

“You see all the swamps between here can be used to grow food. In many countries, cooperatives are the ones that grow food for their people by cultivating the paddy fields,” the dean of agriculture and food science reminded the farmers.

He added: “Let us do away with politics and work together because when we are hungry, we will be slaves to the people that feed us.”

The dean also promised to make available agriculture students from the university to provide services to the seed bank and cooperatives when required.

Commenting on inclusive development, Konto Diamond Saygar, Deputy Director for Administration at the National Disaster Management Agency, encouraged the farmers that in working together it is to include more women and youth.

She indicated that the agency is willing to work with the farmers once they desire to make a change that is going to impact the society. “I want us to hold together to achieve more. Together, we can make a big difference in the society. There’s a need we stand up to do the right thing. Liberians are not living better life, so there is need to work hard to feed ourselves,” the National Disaster Management Agency said.

Also addressing the stakeholders, Joyce Kolvah, county agriculture officer, on behalf of the farmers expressed gratitude to the RESADE Liberia team for committing to support the registration process to transform the farmers’ organizations to cooperatives. 

She said: “Grand Bassa County is the least when it comes to development of cooperatives, and we have to work hard together to achieve this. I want to tell RESADE thank you that this registration thing can move from our heads.”

The proxy of Grand Bassa County District #3 lawmaker Matthew Joe, both RESADE Liberia team and the office of the lawmaker are partners in the implementation of this project.

“With this new leadership, I think our offices have a team to work with. Now, we are to soon be a part of the advisory board. We commit the office of the lawmaker in working with the farmers and the leadership of the seed bank,” Amuchin Zoryou said. 

Established in 1936 and began functional in 1980 through an Executive Order, the CDA helps local farmers and other groups form cooperatives to enhance production of locally grown rice, cocoa and coffee.