FAO Empowers Forest and Farm Producers in Liberia to Promote Climate Resilient Landscape and Improved Livelihoods

Monrovia - Forest and farm producers and their organizations play a crucial role as change agents in sustainable natural resource management and climate-resilient landscape development.

Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been engaging with forest communities in Lofa, Gbarpolu and Nimba Counties in Liberia in an effort to contribute to the improvement of sustainable charcoal production, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) harvesting, sustainable forest resource management, and a healthy environment, which in turn leads to improved livelihoods.

Between 19 and 22 July 2023, FAO conducted a field mission to the project sites, where beneficiary meetings, NTFPs experience-sharing dialogue, and Market Analysis and Development training were held.

Promoting Sustainable Charcoal Production

FAO, in partnership with the National Charcoal Union of Liberia (NACUL), has promoted sustainable charcoal production and provided support to establish a woodlot containing over 2,000 seedlings on 2.5 hectares in Kpayaqulleh, Lofa County.

 “We appreciate this support so highly, and as the woodlot is being turnover, I can assure that the association will take ownership and will work tirelessly in making sure that woodlot is maintained,” said the head of the association. “Many projects have come to our community, and eventually, after few months, it collapses. However, for what I see from this project, it is resilient and I am very interested in being part of the association,” asserted the assistant Town Chief of Kpayaqulleh.

This nursery site is one of the four nursery sites that FAO supports under the project, which is backed by the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) in Liberia. The project coordinator also conducted monitoring visits to the other three sites located in Twah River, Yemah, and Gbehlay-Geh districts in Nimba County where he found that the seedlings of the nursery were of quality and plants growing very well.  Additionally, associations are taking ownership of the nursery through the responsibility of the transplanting of the seedling and maintenance of the land provided.  

Empowering Non-Timber Forest Product Harvesters

During the knowledge-sharing session in Ganta in Nimba County, 20 representatives from various NTFP producers’ associations exchanged experiences and lessons learned with each other on sustainable harvesting, value addition and processing of NTFPs.

“Let me appreciate FAO for the exchange visit. Neither did I know the importance of the Gain of Paradise (GOP) until we travelled to Cote d’Ivoire for the exchange visit. With the knowledge gained, I can now cultivate more of the GOP and provide support to my fellow community members on the cultivation and harvesting of this NTFPs”  said the representative of the Botanical Product Association of Liberia (BOTPAL), an implementing partner under this project.

One of the representatives from Gbehlay-Geh NTFP association shared her knowledge on the Gain of Paradise (GOP) as one of the NTFPs that learned it from the earlier cross-border study tour undertaken in Cote d’Ivoire. GOP, as she spoke, is a spice and a seed of Aframomum melegueta, which is native to West Africa and can be a source of income among the forest communities.

“Value addition plays a pivotal role in increasing the economic value prospects of a product. Therefore, it is important that we encourage not only the sustainable management and harvesting of NTFPs by FFPOs but also the value addition and quality processing. FAO will continue to empower forest and farm producers, fostering a future that embraces both environmental stewardship and thriving livelihoods,” said Marvees Weah, National Forestry and Natural Resources Management Consultant at FAO Representation in Liberia.

FAO recognizes that collaboration has been a cornerstone in this journey towards positive change and continues to drive forward in partnership with local organizations and communities to ensure our collective efforts cultivate healthier environments and improved livelihoods for all.

About the Project

The Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) project in Liberia, launched in 2018, aims to support Forest and Farm Producers and Organizations (FFPOs) as the primary change agents for 'Climate Resilient Landscapes and Improved Livelihoods.'  FAO implemented the country program in 2022 in partnership with three local organizations – NACUL, BOTPAL, and the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs). The project intends to empower FFPOs mainly in three areas:

• Advocacy for policy and legal frameworks;
• Capacity development in entrepreneurship, value addition, market access, and financial access; and
• Climate resilient landscapes and practices.
  
  

Links

Forest and Farm Facility

FOREST and FARM FACILITY: Liberia - Country Achievements