By: Gabriel M. C. Parker
Bopolu, Gbarpolu County – A local cocoa farmer in Gbarpolu County has appealed to the Liberian government for urgent intervention to rescue struggling cocoa growers in the region.
Mr. Dougba Fahnkelen, 47, from Gbeleeta in Gbarma District, said farmers are working hard to produce quality crops but remain hindered by poor infrastructure, limited resources, and lack of support from agricultural authorities.
“We are working hard to produce good cocoa, but the challenges are too much for us,” Fahnkelen told journalists during a recent visit to his farm. “The roads are killing our efforts. We can’t get our cocoa to market, especially during the rainy season.”
He noted that the poor state of rural roads is one of the biggest barriers to transporting harvested cocoa to buyers, a problem that reduces both income and productivity.
Beyond bad roads, Fahnkelen pointed to the high cost and scarcity of fertilizers, pesticides, and modern tools, which are vital to protecting crops and boosting yields. He also lamented the lack of agricultural extension services and training opportunities.
“We also need fertilizer and chemicals to protect our crops from disease, but these things are expensive,” he said. “Without them, our cocoa suffers, and we lose income.”
The veteran farmer expressed concern that mounting challenges are discouraging young people from entering farming, threatening the future of cocoa production in the county.
“Young people are losing interest in farming because it’s too hard with no help,” he added. “If this continues, who will grow cocoa in the next 10 or 15 years?”
Gbarpolu, particularly the Gbeleeta area, is known for its fertile soil and potential for cocoa cultivation. But farmers insist that without consistent government and development support, the sector cannot reach its full potential.
Fahnkelen is calling on the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant agencies to prioritize rural cocoa farming by providing improved seeds, training programs, and better road infrastructure.
“If the government can help us with tools, seeds, and better roads, we will be able to produce more and contribute to the country’s economy,” he emphasized.
As cocoa remains a vital part of Liberia’s agricultural economy, Fahnkelen’s plea echoes the frustrations of many rural farmers who continue to hope for meaningful support.
