Women play a very important role in the agricultural sector of Liberia, serving as producers, processors, and sellers. But despite their contributions, they are still faced with numerous challenges thereby limiting their abilities to greatly improve.
Considering the important roles of women in agriculture and the need to raise their concerns, the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) has recognized the need for women cooperatives to come together under one umbrella of organization and work with the government.
The CDA is responsible for regulating the affairs of all cooperatives across the country.
Recently, the officials of the CDA met with some women's cooperatives primarily into agriculture, calling on them to come together for the sole purpose to formulate what the CDA considered as the National Agriculture Women Alliance of Liberia (NAWCAL).
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Addressing the women, CDA Registrar General, Madam Lwopu Kandakai said the alliance, when established, will bring women in agriculture around the country to advocate for their needs.
Madam Kandakai stated that because women are playing a very pivotal role in the nation's agriculture her institution stands ready to support them in whatever way possible.
She said that the CDA has the mandate to work with grassroot organizations of farmers and non-farmers groups which include women and youths to transform them into viable cooperatives.
According to her, the institute is working with over one hundred cooperatives and now transforming them into productive entities to make them contribute to the economy.
"My administration has emphasized women's empowerment because they remain the frontrunners of our agriculture. We can't be here and not do enough to empower them. With women working together into cooperatives they can get richer," she said.
She said that alliance for women in agriculture will represent all women cooperatives harnessing opportunities and resources for women to improve.
"There is a need for the women to get more support to feed the nation and with the establishment of the alliance their concerns can be raised to the national government," the CDA boss stated.
Varbah Mezzeh, from the Bigger Women Together Farming Cooperatives in Lofa County, speaking on behalf of her colleagues, said that they are ready to work with the CDA in forming the cooperatives alliance for women in agriculture.
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"We are determined to bring about the change in agriculture. Despite the challenges, we as women are facing, we are generating incomes from farming to support our families," Varbah said.
