Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By Josiah Pailay/ Contact: josiahpailay96@gmail.com | +231 881 913 880 / +231 775 260 307
As Bong County Technical College (BCTC) prepares for its 2025 commencement, final-year agriculture student Susan Sianneh Lake is approaching the culmination of a thesis project that exemplifies the nexus of academic research, practical application, and national development goals. Her lowland rice field experiment, located within the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) compound, is now nearing harvest and gaining attention for its academic rigor and applied relevance.
Lake’s project, developed as part of her Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, explores sustainable and improved lowland rice cultivation techniques suitable for Liberia’s agro-ecological conditions. The experiment, covering a full plot of fertile lowland terrain, serves not only as a graduation requirement but also as a case study in student-led agricultural innovation within Liberia’s technical education framework.
From an analytical standpoint, the project represents a successful integration of experiential learning into tertiary agricultural education. It reflects a broader pedagogical shift at BCTC and other technical institutions, where hands-on fieldwork is increasingly prioritized to enhance students’ capacity for independent problem-solving, data collection, and agronomic experimentation.
In an interview with the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN), Lake emphasized the personal and professional significance of the thesis, noting that the experience has instilled key values such as resilience, time management, and technical precision. “This project has taught me patience, discipline, and resilience,” she noted. “It’s more than just a school requirement—it’s a foundation for my future career.”
Importantly, the project is not taking place in isolation. Lake has managed multiple rice plots across Bong County, but the CARI-based plot has been her focal research site, benefiting from the technical infrastructure and mentorship available within Liberia’s premier agricultural research environment. This collaboration between CARI and BCTC illustrates the potential for institutional synergy in strengthening agricultural human capital.
The academic oversight of the project has been led by Mr. Isaac Flomo Sulonteh, Head of the Agriculture Department at BCTC and a Philippine-trained agronomist. His mentorship has provided scientific rigor to the experiment while also reinforcing the importance of context-specific innovation. “Susan is one of those students who takes initiative and demonstrates leadership in the field,” said Sulonteh. “Her work at CARI reflects not just academic growth but also the capacity to translate theory into practice.”
The success of Lake’s thesis underscores the value of fostering stronger linkages between educational institutions and national research centers. It also highlights the critical role of gender inclusion in agricultural education, as Lake’s achievement contributes to the visibility of women in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Her work may inform future discussions on curriculum development, student research funding, and the scaling of successful cultivation techniques.
The maturity and productivity of the rice field have positioned it as a model for future student thesis projects at BCTC. Furthermore, as Liberia continues to prioritize food security and agricultural transformation under its ARREST, such initiatives could serve as evidence for scaling up youth-led innovations in rice production.
BCTC is set to hold its next graduation in July 2025, as Lake’s thesis undergoes final review by the academic board. Her report will provide documentation of experimental design, input utilization, yield projections, and lessons learned—critical data that could be of interest not only to the college but to policymakers and practitioners aiming to build a sustainable rice economy in Liberia.
Susan Sianneh Lake’s academic trajectory and practical contributions stand as a compelling example of how Liberia’s educational institutions can nurture a new generation of agricultural leaders through research-informed, field-based learning.
