LIAGBALA, Nimba County — ArcelorMittal Liberia has inaugurated the Liagbala Vegetable Project, a six‑month agricultural initiative designed to bolster food security, generate income and foster long‑term sustainability in a community of 224 subsistence farmers.
Developed under the company’s Biodiversity and Conservation Program in partnership with the Rural Integrated Centre for Community Empowerment (RICCE), the project will cultivate five acres of cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers, produce at least two metric tons of market‑ready vegetables, equip 31 farmers (including five women) with tools, seeds, irrigation systems and technical training, improve access to fresh produce in Liagbala and nearby markets such as Yekepa and indirectly benefit more than 2,000 residents through strengthened local food systems.
The launch at Liagbala Town Hall drew community chiefs, RICCE staff and senior ArcelorMittal executives.
A highlight of the ceremony was a powerful display of community pride: local farmers presented baskets of fresh produce—grown from their own land—to ArcelorMittal Liberia CEO, Michiel Van Der Merwe. This gesture underscored the central goals of the project—self-reliance, food security, and economic empowerment through collaboration.
“We are thankful for this opportunity, and we welcome it with our whole heart,”
Said Richard Gbanteah, Clan Chief of Gbeleyee.
“These things belong to the community. It is our commitment to look after the places we call home,” added Mr. Van Der Merwe.
Located three kilometers from ArcelorMittal’s Camp 4 on the Yekepa‑Gbapa corridor, Liagbala expressed a clear need for sustainable livelihood support. By integrating modern irrigation and capacity‑building with a market‑oriented crop selection, the Vegetable Project aims to transform local agriculture into a reliable source of nutrition and income.
As ArcelorMittal Liberia advances beyond its core mining operations, the company emphasizes that meaningful, long‑term partnerships—grounded in respect, transparency and shared responsibility—are vital to inclusive development across Nimba County.
