GARMU, January 25 (LINA) – A farmer in Bong County says bureaucratic procedure introduced by loan granting institutions is hampering farming activities in the county.

The Chairman of the Kwapai-gei farmers group in Garmu Town, Panta District, Francis T. Paliwoe, says key among the requirements that are preventing them from getting loan is the call for collateral in Monrovia.
 
Kwapai-gei is a 73-man team that plants and harvests rice three times a year.
 
He told the Liberia News Agency Friday during a tour of his farm that due to the lack of loan, they were limited to cultivation of 26 of the 69 hectares of low land they usually farm.
 
He also named request for Article of Incorporation and Cooperative Development Agency certificate as requirements which make it difficult for farmers to acquire loans.
Bong County Agriculture Coordinator Monica Honoree described Paliwoe and his Kwapai-gei group as a major partner of the Agriculture Ministry.
 
She said since assuming office in 2010, the group has supplied the ministry annually with the excess of their harvest which the ministry buys, mills and sells on the local market at a low cost.
 
She said as part of their partnership, the ministry supplies the group with tools and agric chemical.
LINA