By: Ben TC Brooks
A vital rice mill serving cooperative farmers in Chedepo Jarkaken and surrounding areas of River Gee County has shut down, barely a year after resuming operations. The closure is blamed on a lack of spare parts and inadequate funding for repairs, prompting calls for urgent government intervention.
The multi-purpose rice mill, originally installed in 2015 and rededicated by former President George Manneh Weah in 2021, was a key part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Smallholder Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Commercialization Project (SAPEC). Funded by the African Development Bank (AFDB), the facility was designed to improve food production and support the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
With a daily processing capacity of about 18 metric tons, the mill allowed farmers to clean and package rice into 25 kg bags, adding value to their crops and expanding market access. Its breakdown has caused significant concern among farmers and local leaders.
Taifoloh J. Young, Chairman of the Kweanua Kweadea Cooperative, emphasized the mill’s importance. “It greatly helped us as cooperative farmers,” he said. “Farmers across River Gee relied on it to prepare their rice for sale and consumption. We urgently need the government’s support to restore it.”
Marie Swen, a farmer from Chedepo Jarkaken, echoed the sentiment, expressing frustration over the extended downtime. “The machine made our work easier,” she said. “But since it stopped working, we’ve struggled. We’re pleading with the authorities to step in.”
County Agriculture Coordinator Jaraper Sherrif Tweh confirmed that the rice mill has remained non-functional due to multiple technical faults, including broken fan lines and other critical components.
“This rice mill doesn’t just serve River Gee—it’s central to Agricultural Region 5, which includes Maryland and Grand Kru,” Tweh explained. “Its restoration is essential for boosting food production and ensuring food security across the region.”
Tweh noted that his office is in contact with potential partners to explore options for repairing the facility, citing its strategic role in local and regional agricultural development.
Located approximately 60 kilometers from Fish Town, the county capital, the rice mill in Chedepo plays a vital role in supporting the rural economy. Community members remain hopeful that the government and development partners will prioritize its rehabilitation to restore this crucial infrastructure.
If restored, the mill could once again serve as a backbone for agriculture in River Gee and neighboring counties, reinforcing efforts to strengthen food systems and rural livelihoods.
