By Aaron B. Nemah
MARYLAND CO., LIBERIA – The Maryland Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd (MARFACOOP) held its first-ever annual general assembly on July 19, 2024, at the Bonniken City Hall. This significant event marked a milestone for the cooperative, which was established to facilitate the sale and purchase of rubber and other farm products on behalf of local farmers.
The assembly was attended by delegates from Cavalla Rubber Cooperation (CRC), CDA Representative Abednego Russell, local youth, cooperative authorities, and Bonniken Commissioner Hon. Jaspers Bilibi. The event saw the certification of twenty-one shareholders, reflecting the cooperative’s commitment to recognizing and empowering its members.
Henry J.B. Freeman, a representative from CRC, delivered the keynote address, praising the cooperative for uniting local farmers towards a common goal. Freeman assured the cooperative of CRC’s continued support in enhancing rubber production and urged local farmers to stay focused on their production to achieve greater profitability and invest in their domestic needs.
County Coordinator for MARFACOOP, Mr. Amos Dossen Sr., commended CRC for its collaborative efforts and highlighted key resolutions adopted by the board. He noted that in November 2023, the board resolved to establish its own rubber farm to ensure self-reliance and growth despite challenges such as limited membership and misconceptions about cooperative operations. Dossen stressed that these issues posed a threat to the cooperative’s sustainability.
Additionally, Dossen pointed out that MARFACOOP’s visibility has increased with the involvement of a foreign Liberia-based company in the local rubber market. As the cooperative continues to expand its vegetable crop production in Bonniken, it has requested an additional fifty acres of land from the township to support further growth.
Bonniken Town Commissioner Hon. Jaspers Bilibi responded positively to the request, expressing enthusiasm and commitment to addressing the cooperative’s needs in the near future.
