Success Story: Farmer organization members increase income
Lofa County, Liberia
In 2010, 360 farmers from 12 communities in Lofa County joined together to form the Jorquelleh-Kokoyah Farmers Organization (JORKOFO). The organization is named from the two districts in which it members live. JORKOFO’s members decided to form the organization after participating in farmer field school training.
Through the training, they learned about improved production techniques (such as how to better control pests and diseases) as well as how to develop a group selling arrangement. In addition to the farmer field school training, 24 farmers were trained to serve as facilitators in establishing farmer organizations.
Today, 70 of JORKOFO’s 360 members are shareholders and five interim board members have been selected. The organization has produced draft bylaws and a constitution.
The 2010/2011 season clearly demonstrated the benefits of group selling and applying the techniques learned in farmer field school. Previously, members received an average price of 35 Liberian dollars per kilogram (approximately US$0.49) when selling individually. JORKOFO sold approximately 26 metric tons of cocoa through its group selling arrangement with members receiving a price of 85 to 90 Liberian dollars per kilogram (approximately US$1.18-US$1.25).
WCF thanks IITA/STCP Liberia for contributing this story.
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