Pleebo, Maryland County — The Maryland Youth Association (MYA) has successfully harvested more than 18 bags of 25kg rice from its lowland farm in Pleebo, a milestone being hailed as a major breakthrough for youth-led agriculture in southeastern Liberia.

Located between Zones 5 and 6 in Pleebo City, the farm represents a shift in how young people in the region are engaging with development efforts. During the harvest ceremony over the weekend, MYA President Melvin Weah described the initiative as a new chapter in redefining youth identity in Maryland.

"This is about changing the narrative," said Weah. "Young people must begin to see agriculture not just as farming, but as a tool for empowerment and national development."

The youth-led initiative echoes President Joseph N. Boakai's call for Liberians to "eat what you grow and grow what you eat," which MYA has embraced as both a mission and a movement.

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Weah revealed plans to expand MYA's farming efforts into Barrobo, Karluway, and Harper Districts. The group intends to provide practical agricultural training to young people before they advance to higher education, equipping them with valuable life skills.

Despite limited support from the Ministry of Agriculture's local office, the project has so far been self-funded. MYA is now appealing for broader financial and technical assistance from the Liberian government, agricultural authorities, and international NGOs to scale up the initiative.

Weah also used the occasion to draw attention to the economic pressures faced by local women who often travel to neighboring Ivory Coast for food trade due to Liberia's dependency on imported staples. "Through local farming, we can strengthen our communities and reduce that dependency," he said.

In response to MYA's progress, Julople Dennis Jr., Project Coordinator of the Smallholder Agricultural Food and Security Program for the southeast, praised the initiative and committed to future support.