Barclay Training Center, Monrovia – On November 25, 2025 the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) conducted its first post war swamp rice project harvest in the vicinity of the EBK Barracks, Lower Margibi County.
The AFL Agriculture Company (Agri Coy) was activated on February 6, 2025 under the visionary and practical leadership of Major General (Maj Gen) Davidson Fayiah Forleh. Immediately following the activation of the Agri Coy and cognizant of the importance of food security, Maj Gen Forleh ordered the planting and harvesting of swamp rice before December 2025.
Cognizant of regimentation and the importance of apt execution of military orders, the Agri Coy Commander, Captain (Capt) Emmanuel Wisseh, swiftly identified a huge swamp field appropriate for his task in the vicinity of the EBK Barracks, Lower Margibi County. This led to the birth of the AFL Agri Coy Swamp Rice Pilot Project. This project undisputedly takes the AFL to an unchallenging level as not only an elite and robust fighting force but also a developmental force.
“Sir, I promised that before this year ends I will surprise you with my first harvest, and this is an example of my surprise” said Capt Wisseh to Maj Gen Forleh. He asserted that the rice is a three month variety rice that can be planted and harvested every three months with a total of four harvest circles in a year.
Capt Wisseh acknowledged and extoled the awesome contributions of his energetic staff who stood and defeated several obstacles that would have thwarted the success of the project.
“Though our achievements today, our challenges remain critical, specifically in the area of agriculture machinery” said Capt WWisseh.
Finally, he showered uncountable praises and gratitude in favor of the Community of Hope for Agriculture Project (CHAP) for its partnership and outstanding contributions.
Capt Emmanual Wisseh earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from the University of Liberia. He enlisted in the AFL in 2007.
The Director of CHAP, Bishop Robert Bimba thanked the Ministry of Defense and AFL leadership for the partnership. He expressed CHAP’s love for the AFL and its willingness to work with the AFL and local farmers to positively change the narrative regarding food security in Liberia.
“The message is clear that the AFL is the best force in the region and they are ready to feed themselves and other militaries” said Bishop Bimba.
He lauded his staff, specifically Jerome, for their outstanding contributions in the partnership that brought the AFL swamp rice project to fruition. Bishop Bimba asserted that CHAP looks forward to taking the project to the next higher level. He added that the AFL-CHAP partnership has led to CHAP securing a partnership with the Namibian Army.
For his part, the Chief of Staff (COS) tied his intent to the vision and Arrest Agenda of the AFL Commander-in-Chief, HE Joseph N. Boakai which places agriculture at the top.
“Today we started with a company size, my vision is to increase it to a battalion size” said Maj Gen Forleh. He indicated that his vision is to expand the AFL agriculture project to all AFL barracks across Liberia.
Congratulating the Agri Coy Commander and his staff, the COS stressed that the rice will be used to feed AFL personnel during trainings, including the upcoming recruits training.
Acknowledging the difficult logistics challenges the Agri Coy faces, the COS placed a passionate plea to national government and other stakeholders to assist with agriculture machinery that will enhance the coy’s effectiveness and efficiency.
Maj Gen Forleh thanked CHAP for the partnership and the success of the project, and recognized other partners that contribute to the success of the AFL in diverse meaningful ways.
The occasion was graced by the ECOWAS Advisory Training Team seconded to the AFL and the Office of Security Cooperation, US Embassy. Both offices extoled the AFL for the initiative and indicated that it has the proclivity to enhance food security in Liberia.
