By Nukanah Kollie
PANTA DISTRICT, BONG COUNTY — In the heart of rural Bong County, Panta Pride is reshaping agriculture with a combination of mechanized farming, women’s empowerment, and strategic infrastructure development. With 258 acres of lowland and 100 acres of upland rice fields already planted, the organization has set its sights on expanding to 5,000 acres by next year.
Leading the effort is Executive Director Quanuquanei Alfred Karmue, who says the initiative is not just about growing rice but transforming how agriculture is done making it modern, accessible, and inclusive.
“We’ve built a strong relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture,” Karmue explains. “They believe in our work, and we are passionate about development and agriculture.”
That collaboration was solidified in November 2024, when the Agriculture Minister visited Panta Pride’s farms and pledged government support for future farming initiatives. Since then, the partnership has deepened.
From Local Efforts to National Impact
Currently, Panta Pride is spearheading a 258-acre lowland rice farming project in Panta District, which is already about 70% complete. “We have a presence in most major villages here,” says Karmue. “And we’re only just beginning.”
At the same time, the organization is running what Karmue calls a “living laboratory” in Garmue. This site is being used to test improved seed varieties and best practices in both upland and lowland farming techniques.
In partnership with the Agriculture Ministry, Panta Pride is also establishing the district’s first mechanized farming hub, which will feature 17 large-scale machines to ease farming activities for smallholder farmers, especially targeting women and youth.
“Our goal is to restore dignity to farming,” says Karmue. “When machinery handles the heavy lifting—like land preparation and planting—young people and women are more likely to see agriculture as a viable and enjoyable path.”
Tackling Liberia’s Rice Import Dependence
Rice remains Liberia’s most consumed staple, yet the nation continues to rely heavily on imports over 300,000 metric tons annually, costing the country upwards of US$200 million, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Panta Pride’s mission is to change that, starting with the 100-acre upland rice farm now under cultivation in Kpaquelleh Clan, Shankpallai, Zota District, with long-term plans to scale up to 5,000 acres. Karmue envisions a future where Bong County not only feeds itself but contributes to national food security and exports rice to neighboring countries.
“This isn’t only about growing rice,” he emphasizes. “It’s about demonstrating what’s achievable right here in Liberia.”
Women at the Center
Panta Pride’s model puts women at the forefront. The Zota District upland farm is designed to be run primarily by women, who will benefit from training, micro-financing, and entrepreneurship programs facilitated by Foundation For Women, led by Karmue’s partner.
“Once machines clear and prepare the land, women step in to cultivate and manage the farm,” says Karmue. “It becomes their enterprise.”
To bolster these efforts, the organization is also partnering with Collective Impact Liberia, a group focused on agricultural business development, to build local capacity and scale up operations beyond the current acreage.
Connecting Communities: Roads to Prosperity
Another key initiative is a community-led road project in the long-isolated Gou community, where residents have struggled for years due to poor road infrastructure. After several engagements, the community and Panta Pride agreed to construct an 8 to 10-kilometer road linking Gou with Menquelleh Clan, Gbonota-Town in Sanoyea District, and other nearby villages. The road will provide year-round access to schools, clinics, and markets.
“This road was built from partnership and love,” says Karmue. “No one should suffer just to get their goods to market.”
While the government is investing in rural road improvements, Karmue insists that grassroots-driven infrastructure like this is critical to ensuring balanced development across Panta, Zota, and surrounding areas.
For Karmue and the Panta Pride team, the mission goes far beyond agriculture—it’s about uplifting communities, strengthening resilience, and proving that with the right tools, rural Liberia can flourish.
“When you take away the barriers,” Karmue reflects, “farming becomes joyful. And when farming is joyful, development isn’t far behind.”
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