BUAH, Grand Kru – The Smallholder Agriculture Productivities and Commercialization project, SAPEC, has begun constructing a market building in Buah Statutory District in Grand Kru.

SAPEC, which is funded by the African Development Bank, the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, and the Liberia government, aims to build smallholder farmer capacity and increase food security, crop specification, and institutional strengthening.

The US$581,000 market includes offices, a warehouse, a garbage disposal tank, and a playground for children.

Edwin Kajlye, a youth leader in the district who had contributed to facilitating the project, said he was satisfied with how the construction was progressing. When completed, the market will host more than 1,000 sellers in Buah district, Kajlye said.

He said prior to the intervention by SAPEC, marketers operated in the open, both in the rain and under the sun.

“As part of our contributions as beneficiaries of the project, we provided the land, sand, and crushed rocks,” he also disclosed.

Buah market is held every Tuesday and also attracts marketers and commodities from Sinoe, Maryland and River Gee counties. He encouraged citizens to take advantage of the new market facility when it is fully constructed.

“They will be empowered to supply the market with needed agriculture produces,” he noted.

Mary Wleh, a marketer who spoke on behalf of marketers in the district praised the county administration of Grand Kru and development partners for waking up to their calls for an improved market.

“It will dignify us as business people living in this part of Liberia,” she said, while also challenging citizens of the district to take ownership of the market and properly manage the facility.

Featured photo by James Suah