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By: Josiah Pailay/+23188025406/+231775260307/[email protected]
In a move to enhance Agricultural Education in Liberia, 43 students from various higher learning institutions in Bong County will embark on a journey to Israel this next week to participate in a hands-on agricultural training program at the ARAVA International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT).
Most of the beneficiaries for this training opportunity in Israel are students who have already pursued a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Cuttington University (CU), Bong County Technical College (BCTC) Cpress International University, and Sumo Moye Memorial Technical College in Gbarnga.
The pronouncement was made by Mr. Jacob Dennis, a representative of the ARAVA International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT) in Liberia. Mr. Dennis underscored the importance of the opportunity for the students on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Bong County Technical College Student’s Center in Gbarnga.
According to Mr. Jacob Dennis who is coordinating the travel scheme, the selected students will engage in an 11-month study designed to enhance their skills and knowledge in the agricultural profession.
” This program is a vital step in equipping our future agricultural leaders with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to drive innovation and sustainability in Liberia’s agricultural sector,” he stated.
In Israel, the students will have the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s leading agricultural experts and apply that knowledge upon their return to Liberia. With the skills and techniques gained from the training, these young agriculturalists are expected to contribute significantly to improving farming yields, implementing new technologies, and boosting food production. The students will not only receive classroom instruction but will also travel to various regions to gain firsthand experience in diverse agricultural practices.
This initiative comes at a time when smallholder farmers in Liberia are gaining recognition for their role in income generation and rural development. The government has called on Liberians to see the agricultural sector as a major source of income generation, encouraging more youths to embrace farming as a viable career path. It is part of a broader effort to strengthen agricultural education and improve food security in Liberia especially in vegetable production upon their return.
The program aims to foster a new era of agricultural specialists who can contribute to the country’s development after their studies. Meanwhile, the students are enthusiastic to comprehend Israel’s advanced agricultural systems and bring back valuable insights to their home country Liberia.
They are expected to spend a year in Israel as part of the program, which has been running successfully for several years and has produced graduates who are already making impactful contributions to Liberia’s agricultural landscape.
