GBARNGA, Bong County – Residents of Dementa and Palelowai communities in Jorquelleh District Two are reporting improved agricultural productivity and livelihoods through the Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) Project.
Supported by the World Bank and development partners, the project engaged 66 beneficiaries from both communities in communal farming activities during its third-round implementation in 2025. Participants cultivated a combined 73.685 acres of rice and corn, while Community Oversight Committees monitored implementation.
As part of the project’s Community Development Support component, both communities selected rice mills as priority initiatives. The mills have been completed and are now operational, helping farmers reduce post-harvest losses, lower processing costs, and improve access to markets.
The project also provided farming groups with grants, agricultural tools, mobile phones linked to mobile money services, and climate-smart agriculture training aimed at increasing productivity and resilience.
During an assessment visit on June 17, representatives of the REALISE Project and its partners, including the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), praised the communities for their transparency and commitment to the project.
Beneficiaries described the initiative as life-changing and expressed gratitude for the support.
Project officials said the interventions are expected to strengthen food security, boost local economies, and promote sustainable agricultural practices long after the project ends.
