Lida-R

Lida-R Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Lida-R, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Nimba Co. , Lib, Sanniquellie.

Liberia
Institute for
Development
Assessment &
Research is a non-profit organization whose aim is to improve the livelihoods of rural people in rural Liberia through Research & Innovation, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning, Practice & Implementation

🚜 Assessing the Agricultural Impact of the Totota Track Construction Project 🌾 Authored by Ambrose Forpoh, Agriculture ...
07/11/2025

🚜 Assessing the Agricultural Impact of the Totota Track Construction Project 🌾



Authored by Ambrose Forpoh, Agriculture Expert – Research & Evaluation
Monrovia, Liberia | July 30, 2022
Client: Swansea University
Implemented by: LIDA-Research (Liberian Institute for Development Assessment and Research)
Donors: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

This SIDA- and GIZ-funded assessment examined how upgrading 20 km of rural footpaths into motorcycle-accessible tracks near Totota, B**g County, has influenced smallholder agriculture, local trade, and rural livelihoods. Conducted between April 2021 and May 2022, the study captured how improved physical access enabled farmers to move from subsistence-based production to more diversified, market-oriented activities across fifteen communities.

📈 Key Findings (Scale of Increase: Onefold = modest | Twofold = substantial | Threefold = transformative):

Shift from subsistence to market-based farming — Threefold increase: Farmers transitioned from mainly cultivating rice and cassava to producing a wider variety of cash crops such as peppers, bitter balls, and vegetables for sale.

Farm expansion and activity — Twofold increase: Many households expanded their farmland and diversified their crop mix, reflecting greater engagement in year-round farming.

Market access and produce movement — Threefold increase: Travel times to weekly markets were reduced from hours to minutes, enabling more produce to reach traders and buyers.

Local trade and economic interaction — Twofold increase: Rural markets became busier, with new vendors and transport operators supporting increased flows of goods and services.

Resettlement and new farmsteads — One- to Twofold increase: Improved access prompted households to relocate closer to the tracks, leading to new farm and residential developments.

Access to social services — Twofold increase: Motorcycle taxis now enable quicker transport to health facilities and schools, enhancing overall community mobility and wellbeing.

💡 LIDA-Research’s Contribution:
The Liberian Institute for Development Assessment and Research (LIDA-R) implemented the Community-Driven Track Construction model, engaging local labour and materials to build the tracks. This participatory approach strengthened community ownership, generated employment, and ensured that wages remained within the rural economy. LIDA-R also coordinated field engagement and supported the research process in collaboration with Swansea University.

📍The study demonstrates that community-built, motorcycle-accessible tracks, implemented by LIDA-Research with support from SIDA and GIZ, led to up to a threefold increase in agricultural and market activity, transforming rural mobility, trade, and income generation in the Totota region.

Enhancing the Socio-Economic and Sustainable Impact of Village Access Tracks in Liberia We are pleased to present the in...
07/11/2025

Enhancing the Socio-Economic and Sustainable Impact of Village Access Tracks in Liberia

We are pleased to present the inception report:
“Enhancing the Socio-Economic and Sustainable Impact of Village Access Tracks via an Integrated Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Demand-Driven Research & Development (R&D) Approach.”

Date: May 2022
Authors: Martin Ngasuo Tarkpor (LIDA-Research, Liberia)
and Dr Krijn Peters (Swansea University, UK)

Client: Swansea University
Funding Agency: Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)

Shape

Following the completion of a successful pilot in 2021 upgrading 20 km of rural footpaths to motorcycle-accessible tracks in B**g County, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) is now funding a major extension that will see the construction of over 200 km of village access tracks across Lofa, Nimba and B**g Counties.

The initiative builds on earlier evidence from Nimba County (2017) and demonstrates that well-designed tracks, constructed at an average cost of US $5,000–7,000 per km, can deliver socio-economic benefits comparable to feeder roads that cost US $40,000–50,000 per km. These low-cost tracks significantly improve access to markets, healthcare, and education while generating substantial local employment.

The programme is implemented by Swansea University (UK) in partnership with Cuttington University and LIDA-Research (Liberia). It combines Research & Development (R&D) with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) to strengthen Liberia’s emerging village-track methodology and build institutional capacity for future infrastructure planning.

Key R&D components include:

Bridge Innovation: Developing and testing a “Da Vinci” wooden arch bridge design using up to 50 % less timber while maintaining strength and safety.

Local Manufacturing: Constructing a forge/incinerator to locally produce track tools and safely incinerate solid waste at temperatures above 900 °C.

Community Finance: Establishing Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) and Social Enterprises to fund the estimated US $500 per km annual maintenance cost.

Sustainable Mobility: Assessing the potential for electric motorcycles and cargo tricycles to reduce fuel dependence and emissions in rural transport.

The integrated MEL framework will document outcomes, refine technical and social approaches, and build the capacity of Liberian partners to lead future research and development.

“The tracks are not an end in themselves, but a means to accelerate rural socio-economic development,”
— Dr Krijn Peters, Principal Investigator, Swansea University.

Empowering Rural Liberia: Sustainable Tracks and Community Savings for a Brighter FutureHey everyone, exciting updates f...
15/08/2025

Empowering Rural Liberia: Sustainable Tracks and Community Savings for a Brighter Future

Hey everyone, exciting updates from rural Liberia: Transforming Lives with Motorable Village Tracks!
Back in 2021, LIDA-R dove into a community assessment in B**g County, where places like Blon-mu, Sackie, Massah, and Dafuwah turned narrow footpaths into game-changing motorable tracks. Supported by SIDA, LIDA, and Swansea University, this Village Access Roads Initiative is all about making life easier for over half of Liberia's rural folks who live far from main roads. These affordable tracks (just $5-10K per km compared to $40-50K for feeder roads) cut travel times from grueling hours to quick rides, helping farmers get produce to market without breaking their backs, and making healthcare, schools, and everyday needs way more accessible. No more risky bridges in the rain or carrying everything on your head!
Our study highlighted how locals are embracing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Women, youth, and farmers are pooling wages from track building to save smart, take loans, and keep the paths maintained long-term. Picture this: communities boosting their income through group farming, small businesses, and collective investments—it's empowering and sustainable!
And the best part? While that research was from 2021, the push for ongoing research and development is going stronger than ever, bringing real economic growth, less poverty, and brighter futures. From selling fresh kola nuts right at home to families thriving together—this is the heart of Liberia's resilience!
What do you think? Share your stories or tag a friend passionate about rural empowerment. 🇱🇷

https://www.lida-r.org/2022-village-savings-and-loans

On 2021 LIDA-R embarked on a research journey that would lead the organization and its stakeholders to profound findings...
09/08/2025

On 2021 LIDA-R embarked on a research journey that would lead the organization and its stakeholders to profound findings and realizations that aided with the development of what is now called Community Based Track Design Manual: Volume 1. These efforts culminated in the inception of the of what is now called the ‘Village Access Road’ or VAR.
These findings aided on the development of management tools and community lead infrastructure management structures, that have found widespread adoption in a number of counties of Liberia both in the rural and peri-urban setting.

The "Community Based Track Design Manual: Volume 1 - Community Development" provides guidelines for forming, training, and legally registering Community-Based Organizations to manage Village Access Roads projects, ensuring sustainable infrastructure, local employment, and enhanced access
to markets, health, and education services.

The Da Vinci Timber Bridge project on Narwezu Village Access Road in Lofa, Liberia, efficiently utilizes local materials...
02/08/2025

The Da Vinci Timber Bridge project on Narwezu Village Access Road in Lofa, Liberia, efficiently utilizes local materials and high-density Dahoma timber. Constructed in 18 days, the bridge demonstrates structural integrity and cost-effectiveness, supporting pedestrians, tricycles, and motorbikes with minimal deflection and easy maintenance. https://www.lida-r.org/da-vinci-bridging-system https://www.lida-r.org/2023-dvb2

LIDA-R facilitated a twelve (12) days training program held at Cutting University between 23rd June and 4th July, 2025. ...
22/07/2025

LIDA-R facilitated a twelve (12) days training program held at Cutting University between 23rd June and 4th July, 2025. On the 23rd of June the LISA project was launch and the actual training started on the 24th of June and ended on the 4th of July, 2025.
The training targeted TMC Team Leaders, TMC Senior Engineers, MPW Field Engineers and MPW’s Senior Program Officer.

Today, LIDA-R was represented by it's Executive Director Michael Yeah, at the 10th international conference on Sustainab...
21/07/2025

Today, LIDA-R was represented by it's Executive Director Michael Yeah, at the 10th international conference on Sustainable Transportation in Africa. (ICTA 2025). Presentation was made on the ongoing LISA project implemented by the Ministry of Public Works with emphasis on VAR sustainability and the importance of nationalizing this among the class of road networks.

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Nimba Co. , Lib
Sanniquellie
231

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Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00
Saturday 08:00 - 16:00

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