The Ministry of Agriculture in Grand Cape Mount County has initiated a grievance redress mechanism awareness campaign with smallholder farmers.
This program aims to sensitively address the concerns and complaints of farmers across the administrative districts of the region.
During a gathering in Sinje, farmers were advised by Seku N. Gbollie, a Technical Assistant from the Ministry, to stop throwing waste in rivers while weeding, as it poses a threat to various species.
He also emphasized the importance of preserving trees to prevent erosion, urging farmers to avoid deforestation.
Gbollie encouraged farmers to practice low-land farming, highlighting the support available through the Start-p and ReTrap Project.
Gbollie assured farmers that the agriculture project would provide significant assistance once they registered as individuals or as a group with the government.
He expressed disapproval of illegal mining and the use of chemicals on crops.
Madam Cheryl A. Williams PHD, the Gender & Social Development Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that the purpose of the Grievance Redress Mechanism was to give smallholder farmers a platform to voice their complaints and dissatisfactions to the Ministry.
She disclosed that the project would last for five years and received funding from IFAD and the World Bank.
“It is your responsibility as farmers benefiting from the project to promptly report any issues affecting them for proper redress, “she cautioned.
Additionally, Williams addressed the issue of Sexual Gender-Based Violence, urging farmers to report any instances of violence against women and children that occur during their farming activities.
The farmers in Grand Cape Mount County expressed their gratitude to the international partners and the Ministry of Agriculture for the empowerment they had received.
They vowed to utilize the materials and funding provided to ensure the sustainability and transformation of farming activities in Western Liberia.
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