Initially, Mr. Phillips had the strong opinion that the only way to produce rice in Liberia was through mechanized irrigated rice schemes. By showing him each visit also the potential of improved upland rice farming as well as the serious problems encountered with the large scale irrigated rice scheme (as described in 3. Assessment of The Foya Rice Development Project) Van Santen gradually managed to convince him that there also were other suitable ways to produce rice. Another hot issue in their discussions was the need for a market co-operative. On this topic they shared more ideas as compared with how to produce rice.

Other visitors who came by air and parked their plane in front of his house were officials from the World Bank and other international donor and agricultural research
agencies. He also received frequent visits of seven FAO colleagues, who came by car.

Van Santen's house, a local style house, was upgraded with an electric generator, a water tower and a tiled floor. In spite of the simple conditions he managed to receive his frequent guests with a reasonable level of comfort. Behind the house he had established a large vegetable garden to supply his kitchen. Production was even sufficient to bring fresh vegetables to his friends in Monrovia on his monthly visits to the FAO project headquarters. On the Saturday market Van Santen was given the first choice of meat from the weekly slaughtered cow. Other supplies were brought in from Monrovia on his visits to the capital. Bread was home baked as the nearest bakery was 200 miles away...

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