Boakai Massaquoi Agriculture Inc Augments Govt’s Efforts

-Provides Over 200 Daily Contracts To Liberians In Upper Caldwell

By Reuben Sei Waylaun

As stated by John F. Kennedy in his inaugural Address, January 20, 1961 “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You” it’s what the Chief Executive Officer of the Boakai Massaquoi Agriculture Incorporated is doing in Upper Caldwell, Montserrado County as he hired over 200 Liberians to produce vegetables and Liberia’s staple food, rice.

Situated in Upper Caldwell, Montserrado County on 100 acres of farmland, the Boakai Massaquoi Agriculture Incorporated is heavily involved in the production of vegetables, specifically watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, and Liberia’s staple food, rice with the vision of supplying the local market.

The farm was established in 2018, but activities officially started in January 2019.

Speaking to this paper over the weekend, the Farm Manager of Boakai Massaquoi Agriculture Inc, Jacob F. Tomei disclosed in an exuberance mood that currently 90 males and 55 females have been hired for daily contracts worth (L$500.00) and contractors work six days a week and they are paid every Saturday.

Tomei further disclosed that there are other workers who are into different types of works on the farm ensuring that they realize their dream of supplying the local market with sufficient food with their brands.

According to him, their dream is to augment the pro-poor agenda of the Liberian Government especially in the agriculture sector that is one of the key pillars of the country.

Our reporter who visited the farm said he observed the conglomeration of the sixteen tribes of Liberia at the farm happily working as they joyfully sing together during their working session.

Manager Tomei further indicated that while there are financial banks in the country, they must ensure that agriculture remains a bank in the country to feed the country.

“We need the market because we have enough food to supply in the next few weeks. We need food bank because agriculture is a bank,” Manager Tomei said.

Meanwhile, the management of the Boakai Massaquoi Agriculture Inc is calling on the Liberian Government and her multilateral partners to see reasons in helping them with tools and link them to the market.

Large numbers of the daily workers on the farm are windows, but they are happy with what they called ‘opportunities’ provided by Mr. Boakai Massaquoi, the chief executive officer to help sustain their families.

Despite the location of the farm, it operates in line with the labor law of Liberia, which means workers go to work 8am to 4pm; Monday through Saturday and they are given food while working on the farm.

The Assistant Agriculture Minister for Research & Extension, Alvin Wesseh recently visited the Boakai Massaquoi Agriculture Inc to assess the development and according to management and workers, the minister was excited and promised to work with them as part of boosting the agriculture sector of the country.

Meanwhile, speaking to this paper on the farm, Mamie Garpue, 41, Inspector for women on the farm praised the working conditions on the farm since she joined them.

Madam Garpue said her weekly salary through the farm has rejuvenated her life and she will forever remain grateful to the Boakai Massaquoi Agriculture Inc and its CEO.

“I am very happy since I joined the farm. I have two children; we are not suffering like before. I am depending on this work to support my children. I now have my own land just from this work,” madam Garpue said.

Also speaking, Ma Tete Saye, 45, chairlady said besides what they earn from the farm, Mr. Boakai Massaquoi can personally identified with them just to make them happy.

She is a widow with seven children, but her current job is now making her to overcome the challenges she goes through as a single mother.

“I am building my own house just from this work. Mr. Boakai gave me L$25,000.00 the last time to buy my zinc. He is doing well for us. But we want the government to help him for us. He’s a good man in this place,” madam Ma Tete Saye said.

The women were seen celebrating and singing songs of praises for what God has done for them through the Boakai Massaquoi Agriculture Inc.                                                     TNR