Africa-Press – Liberia. A farm, which started as a small home-based venture in 2016, through self-financing, has now grown into a fully fenced twelve-acre facility valued at US$220,000 by 2022.
Imonik Poultry Farm: Transforming Agriculture and Livelihoods in Grand Gedeh
From modest roots as a small-scale, home-based initiative, Imonik Business Centre has steadily evolved into one of Liberia’s most dynamic and promising agribusiness ventures. Nestled in the heart of the Blessing Hill Community in Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County, the enterprise is making a significant mark in the country’s agricultural landscape particularly in the poultry sector.
Imonik specializes in the production of layer chickens, supplying fresh eggs to a Liberian market where demand consistently outpaces supply. In a country where food security and local production are critical to economic resilience, Imonik’s contribution is both timely and transformative.
At the helm of this growing enterprise is Isaac Monah, a visionary entrepreneur whose diverse professional background and unwavering determination have shaped the company’s trajectory. In 2016, Isaac began his journey with just 50 birds, raising them in his backyard with limited resources but boundless ambition. Through perseverance, strategic reinvestment, and a deep understanding of local market needs, he expanded his flock to 500 birds, laying the foundation for what would become a thriving agrib.
How RETRAP Sparked Imonik’s Agribusiness Transformation
In 2023, Imonik Business Centre received a US$190,930 matching grant through the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP). The funding supported critical infrastructure upgrades, including the renovation of poultry houses, procurement of feed processing equipment, and installation of a diesel generator to ensure consistent power supply.
Complementing these improvements, Imonik also constructed a new poultry house with a 2,000-bird capacity using its own resources. These enhancements have significantly increased production capacity and solidified Imonik’s role as a leading contributor to Liberia’s egg industry.
Views of the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Bank Team visit at Imonik Farm
As part of a recent ten-day Implementation Support Mission to evaluate RETRAP’s progress, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Bank visited Imonik’s operations. The project was commended for its positive impact on rural livelihoods and its contribution to agricultural transformation.
Impact Highlights
Imonik’s activities have delivered measurable benefits to Grand Gedeh County:
1. Boosting Livelihoods for Egg Vendors. The number of youth, women, and men selling eggs from Imonik grew significantly in 2024/2025.
“Our poultry farm continues to be a dependable source of income, helping vendors expand their businesses and improve household earnings,” said Mr. Monah.
2. Affordable Eggs Year-Round. For the first time, Imonik sustained egg supply throughout the rainy season while keeping prices low, a major achievement in a region where poor roads often drive costs up.
3. Strengthening Local Corn Supply Chains. More smallholder farmers began supplying corn to Imonik in 2025, benefiting from guaranteed markets and prompt payments. This reduces reliance on imports and promotes local resilience.
4. Creating Youth Employment. The farm engages contract workers for maintenance and cleaning, offering income and skill-building opportunities.
5. Promoting Organic Fertilizer Use. Manure from poultry houses is sold as organic fertilizer, supporting sustainable farming in remote areas.
6. Sustainable Waste Management. Imonik recycles snail shells from local food shops into chicken feed, reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.
7. Supporting education. Isaac Monah is co-founding a tuition-free school for disadvantaged children in Twarbo, Grand Gedeh County. The school employs 27 staff and serves over 315 students, 60% of whom are girls, and recently commissioned a 100-bed dormitory for female students, ensuring safe and accessible education. His experience also spans wildlife conservation through his work at Tai National Park in Ivory Coast.
Future Plans
Imonik aims to scale operations through:
Expanding egg production capacity with additional poultry houses and day-old chicks. With the support they got from the project, the proceed from the grant is helping
Upgrading systems for efficiency and sustainability, including solar-powered heating and lighting.
Strengthening corn production partnerships with formal off-take agreements.
Empowering local value chain actors, including snail shell suppliers.
Challenges and Solutions
Despite progress, challenges remain:
Limited technical support services – Imonik recommends creating a dedicated technical assistance framework.
Access to finance – Partnerships with microfinance institutions and flexible credit programs are needed.
Inadequate storage and logistics – Investment in modern storage and delivery systems will reduce losses.
Low technical skills among farmers – Training programs and demonstration farms can improve productivity.
Monik Poultry Farm is more than a business, it’s a catalyst for rural transformation, job creation and food security in Liberia.
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