Andrew Gbokakollie, a 42 years old farmer, lives with his family in David Town road community in Gbarnga city, Liberia. He has been a vegetable farmer for a long time, planting several crops such as cabbages, bitter balls and pepper despite the lack of technical knowledge and support from the government as well as local and International Non-Governmental Organisations.
In due course, Andrew came in contact with the BRAC Liberia’s Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihood (AFSL) programme staff who informed him of details about the project. They were interested in helping the underprivileged locals with assistance in the agriculture industry.
BRAC Liberia proceeded to list Andrew as a Lead farmer due to his farming experience in the area. This decision was inspired by his passion and technical skill in the field and his knowledge on farming. Andrew received training in modern agriculture techniques of improved farming after which BRAC gave Andrew and the other trainees some agriculture imports to start with. Thanks to the training and the knowledge he received Andrew says, “I was able to increase my cabbage farm from 2lots of land to one acre of land. I also planted Cassava on 0.5 acre of land; I was able to generate more than $110,000 from the cabbage sale. I have also sold the bitter ball which I got for $62,330 Liberian dollars that I planted”.
The income allowed Andrew to pay his children’s school fees, hospital bills and food. He was also able to save some money in the bank. With the profit he had made from December sales, Andrew was able to complete the construction of his home. Andrew continues to provide for his family through the production of his crop.
