Ganta Highway, Gbarnga,
Bong County, Liberia
Funded by the European Union
From 2011 to 2015, Catalyst Liberia Incorporated partnered with Oxfam on the Sustainable Economic Livelihoods (SEL) Project, a major rural development initiative focused on strengthening food security and boosting agricultural productivity in southeast Liberia.
Working across 23 communities in Grand Gedeh and River Gee Counties, Catalyst played a leading role in transforming lowland ecosystems into productive, climate-resilient farming areas. Under this project, Catalyst Liberia successfully developed 1,018 acres of lowland rice fields, enabling year-round cultivation through modernized water management systems.
A key achievement was the construction of two large concrete dams and two mini-dams, designed to improve irrigation, regulate water flow, and protect farmlands during both rainy and dry seasons. These structures now serve as long-term community assets supporting sustainable rice production.
Through the initiative, Catalyst directly reached 1,356 smallholder farmers, equipping them with improved farming techniques, irrigation management skills, and access to more reliable production conditions. As a result, communities experienced significant increases in rice yields, stronger livelihoods, and enhanced resilience against climate shocks.
The Oxfam SEL Project stands as one of Catalyst Liberia’s landmark contributions to agricultural development—demonstrating the organization’s capacity to manage large-scale, donor-funded projects and deliver measurable, community-centered results.
