encouraging sustainable, responsible cocoa growing

The Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP), a USAID-funded program administered by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, is engaged in the empowerment of thousands of cocoa farmers in Nimba, Bong and Lofa counties, since 2006.

STCP-Liberia Program Manager, Mr. Macarthur M. Pay-Bayee says to date, a total of 6,500_farmers have been trained through the farmers' field school (FFS) methodologies on integrated crop pests and quality management (ICPQM), and responsible social behavior (HIV/AIDS, farm safety and child labor) through this process.

A breakdown of farmers trained by year are 364 direct participants in Nimba County in 2006; 463_farmers graduated in Bong and Nimba in 2007. The total current FFS enrolment in 2008 is 1643_farmers in Bong and Lofa.

Beside enrolment in the FFS, participants commit themselves to train three additional farmers in their communities through farmer-to-farmer diffusion.

Mr. Pay-Bayee said the 2006 graduates from the nine-month FFS training received improved cocoa varieties STCP obtained from the Centre National de Recherche Agronomique in Cote d'Ivoire.

The farmers established nurseries in their individual communities and the seedlings are being transplanted to farmers' farms. The cocoa variety obtained from STCP is high-yielding, disease-resistant and if the recommended agronomic practices are followed, they will start producing in year three.

He said his organization has also ensured the establishment of cocoa nursery for seed garden at, and in collaboration with the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI).

He said since the STCP commenced the Liberia operation in 2006, it has hosted several roundtables on extension and marketing to support the Ministry of Agriculture as it develops its extension policy and provide it with strategic marketing options.

Mr. Pay-Bayee pointed out that roundtables and workshops were also held on topics related to farmers' organizations and cooperative development and towards the rehabilitation of the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) and upgrading of the Cooperative Law.

He told this paper on Monday that besides investing in the cocoa sector, STCP-Liberia started working in the country's rubber and oil-palm sectors.

Mr. Pay-Bayee said STCP-Liberia has concluded a feasibility study in the areas of rubber and palm, by which the Agriculture Ministry has requested it to put in place a National Rubber Plan.

He said as part of the entity's initiatives to improve farmer's living standard and protects the environment, the World Bank has provided over 190 thousand United States Dollar currently used for protection of the Nimba Natural Reserve.

According to him, the fund is been used to introduce alternative income sources for farmers residing in the reserve due to the concerns that they are exploiting the animals and the various tree species during shifting cultivation.

He also stressed the development of a curriculum on cocoa agro-forestry, and the development of a training curriculum on palm culture.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pay-Bayee has landed its major donors for their financial assistance, and the Agriculture ministry for its collaborative support given to STCP-Liberia there by enabling the entity to achieve its objectives for the benefit of Liberian farmers.

The main donors of the Sustainable Tree Crops Program-Liberia are the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, and the World Cocoa Foundation and industry (through its regional core program support).