A Story of Change: From Struggles to Sustainable Agriculture – Jackson Bee’s Journey

Jackson Bee, a dedicated Liberian farmer from Far East Community, Gbarnga City, Bong County, faced significant challenges in his agricultural journey. As a smallholder farmer, he struggled with limited access to land, financial constraints, and a lack of connection to larger markets. Despite his energy and leadership in promoting agriculture among young people, he found it difficult to expand his farming activities beyond subsistence levels.

One of the biggest hurdles was acquiring land. Without financial resources to purchase farmland, Jackson and many other farmers in Bong, Gbarpolu, Rural Montserrado, and other Counties in Liberia rely on small plots, restricting their ability to grow and commercialize their agricultural ventures. Additionally, without access to larger markets, they had to settle for selling their produce and dried fish in local markets, often at lower prices, limiting their economic growth.

Jackson’s breakthrough came when he connected with the Sustainable and Participatory Agriculture for Change (SPAC) Project, implemented by ActionAid Liberia (AAL). Through this initiative, Jackson attended the Green Fair Exhibition, where he was introduced to the idea of expanding through community partnerships rather than relying solely on financial resources to purchase land.

A pivotal moment in his journey came when a friend from Montserrado advised him to involve the community in his expansion efforts. Acting on this advice, Jackson approached the Peabody family in District One, who agreed to grant him 7 hectares of land under a partnership model: 30% of the produce would go back to the community. This agreement not only gave him access to land but also empowered local community members by providing them with food security and economic benefits.

The partnership model proved successful, attracting 20 community members from Peabody to join his farming efforts. Encouraged by this progress, Jackson expanded further, securing:

• 2 hectares in Sengbeh Town
• 3 hectares in Kpai Town
• 4 hectares from Emmanuel Merketuah, another passionate agriculturist, with 40% of the produce allocated back to Emmanuel’s community.

With these partnerships, Jackson’s Liberia Agriculture Without Borders initiative gained momentum, creating employment opportunities and fostering community-driven agriculture.

One of the most significant aspects of Jackson’s expansion was the involvement of women in farming and decision-making. Traditionally, women in rural Liberia have limited access to land and economic opportunities, yet they play a crucial role in food production. Understanding this, Jackson ensured that women in Peabody, Sengbeh, and Kpai were active participants in the farming process.

• Women were given roles in land preparation, planting, harvesting, and sales.
• A women’s cooperative was formed to manage portions of the farmland, giving them financial independence.
• A special program was introduced to train women in composting and organic farming, allowing them to develop sustainable agricultural practices.

These efforts led to economic empowerment for women in these communities, allowing them to earn income and support their families while contributing to food security.

The Impact and Future Vision

Jackson’s journey has transformed not only his own life but also the lives of many farmers in Bong, Gbarpolu, Rural Montserrado, and other counties in Liberia. His growing network of organic farmers has created a model that emphasizes community involvement, sustainable farming, and resource-sharing.

One of his biggest successes was the introduction of compost sales. His first sale in composting served as an eye-opener, demonstrating that waste could be turned into profit. This realization led him to develop plans to set up a dedicated compost-selling hub, providing an additional revenue stream for the farming community.

With the increasing success of his initiative, Jackson envisions:

• Incorporating more farmers, especially women and young people, into organic farming.
• Establishing a training center to teach composting and sustainable farming techniques.
• Expanding his market reach to ensure that local farmers can sell their produce at fair prices.

Jackson Bee’s story is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions in overcoming barriers to land access and market connections. His journey—from struggling with land acquisition to leading a growing network of sustainable farmers—demonstrates the importance of partnerships, women’s empowerment, and innovative approaches to agriculture.

Through the support of SPAC and ActionAid Liberia, Jackson has moved from being a smallholder farmer to a leader in community agriculture, proving that when local farmers are given the right opportunities, they can transform their communities and contribute to national food security.