By Shallon S. Gonlor
GBARPA TOWN, Nimba County – A transformative agricultural initiative led by the Women Farmers Union in Gbarpa Town is demonstrating the potent economic power of collective farming, turning cabbage and groundnut cultivation into a lucrative enterprise that is elevating incomes, strengthening food security, and inspiring broader change across Nimba County.
Through their cooperative model, the women have gained critical access to land, quality seeds, and modern farming training, which has enabled them to achieve remarkable yields. Their fields now produce up to 14,000 kilograms of cabbage per acre, alongside high-value groundnut outputs, creating substantial revenue streams as the fresh produce commands prices of around US$10 per kilogram in local markets.
The success of this venture has fundamentally altered the lives of the women involved, many of whom were previously struggling as single mothers. Ma Marie Zoelay Tozay, the head of the women’s group, recounted the hardships they faced before starting the project. “Life wasn’t easy,” Tozay stated, reflecting on a time when they juggled odd jobs merely to survive. Driven by desperation and a shared commitment, the women took on the formidable challenge of clearing hard bush and cultivating the land with basic tools, a grueling effort she described as being initially driven by the singular goal of feeding their children.
Today, that struggle has evolved into a thriving business. The income generated is empowering the women to achieve financial self-sufficiency, with earnings being reinvested into their families to cover school fees, healthcare costs, and community infrastructure projects. The union’s focus on cooperative marketing ensures they effectively reach local markets, where their produce also improves community nutrition and reduces reliance on imported goods.
“Don’t give up. Agriculture is empowerment,” Tozay urged other single women and struggling parents, emphasizing that the land holds the key to sustainability and independence. She acknowledged the difficulties of farming but affirmed that the rewards are life-changing. “We took a chance, and it’s working,” she said, her message resonating as a call to action. “You can too. Let’s farm our way to a brighter future.”
The union’s model, which combines sustainable farming techniques with collective action, is now being seen as a replicable engine for rural growth. Their visible prosperity is already inspiring women in neighboring villages to adopt similar agricultural projects, promising a ripple effect of economic prosperity and resilience throughout the region.
