NIMBA COUNTY RURAL TECHNOLOGY OPG

PFP will implement the project as part of its ongoing program. Project interventions will be in several interrelated areas. Some 1,500 acres of undeveloped swamp and flood plain will be brought under rice cultivation (leading to 500 new jobs) and 50% of the area"s 5,000 subsistence farmers will be given higher-yield rice varieties through a seed exchange program. Training will be given annually to 250 farmers in improved cultivation methods for swamp rice, coffee, and cocoa. Improved coffee and cocoa varieties will be introduced and 500 farmers will be taught tree crop production methods. The demonstration farm will experiment with improved varieties of local dry-season crops and will market-test and introduce new crops, such as garden vegetables. Facilities and staff at PFP"s Appropriate Technology Center (ATC) will be expanded. ATC will offer technical and business training in low-cost, self-help housing construction and in commercial/industrial enterprise development to 100 men and women, including artisans; and will prepare recent high school graduates for non-mining rural business careers. Twenty new forestry, sawmilling, and woodworking businesses will be created, along with four new construction contractor businesses. A total of 1,500 non-mining jobs will be created under the project. Women artisans will receive special courses in product design and marketing for clothprinting and dressmaking enterprises. Women will also be trained in agricultural techniques and business and cooperative management. PFP programs to train small business field advisors, extend credit to small businesses, and provide management advisory services and training for village self-help programs will be expanded. Finally, linkages will be developed between farm and market, rural and urban areas, and producers and distributors; and 31 Liberians will be trained to support future project activities.