JUNGLE FARM, Lower Margibi County – The Christian Revival Church Association (CRCA) is expanding its agricultural operations in Jungle Farm, with more than ten acres of swampland under cultivation for rice, alongside thriving orange and pineapple plantations.
The initiative, spearheaded by Bishop T. Dennis Agery, aims to advance the church’s faith-based development mission while supporting President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, particularly its pillars on agriculture and food self-sufficiency.
According to Ramsy M. Ballah, Farm Manager of the CRCA Agriculture Program, three and a half acres of rice have already been planted, with the first harvest expected in October.
“Our target is to cultivate the entire ten-plus acres,” Ballah said. “The October harvest will be our first, and we are confident of a good yield.”
Ballah said the project seeks to reduce Liberia’s heavy dependence on imported rice by increasing local production and strengthening national food security.
In addition to rice, the church is investing in fruit farming as part of a diversified agricultural approach.
Bishop Agery, who heads CRCA in West Africa, described the farms as an expression of service to both God and country.
“This is about doing God’s work by helping to feed the nation,” he said. “We are committed to supporting the President’s ARREST agenda through agriculture.”
The project is already providing short-term employment for about ten community residents, with plans to create more jobs for youth and women if additional support is secured.
“We intend to expand and employ more Liberians,” Ballah noted, calling for partnership with the government and donor organizations.
After the October rice harvest, the church plans to use the swampland during the dry season for vegetable production to ensure year-round farming.
CRCA is also seeking closer collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture for technical and material assistance. Ballah said the church hopes the Agriculture Minister will visit the farm to see the work firsthand and explore areas of cooperation.
Farm Technician Patrick F. Tamba Khomason stressed the need for mechanization, citing power tillers, rice mills, and irrigation equipment as critical to scaling up production.
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