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By Jenneh Kemokai, Radio Cape Mount
The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) has trained 45 farmers in Porkpa District, Grand Cape Mount County, on the prevention and mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts as part of efforts to promote coexistence between communities and Liberia’s threatened wildlife.
The two-day training, held August 8–9, 2026, was conducted by the FDA’s Conservation Department through its Division of Wildlife. It brought together farmers from Laah, Sass Town, Dorlah, and Zimmi Dandai communities.
The training focused on practical measures farmers can use to prevent and mitigate conflicts with wildlife, particularly in communities located near forest and wildlife habitats.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Momie Dandai and Abraham Gibson thanked the FDA for what they described as a timely intervention. They encouraged fellow farmers to apply the knowledge gained from the training to reduce wildlife-related conflicts in their communities.
They also pledged continued community collaboration with the government to protect Liberia’s threatened wildlife and recommended regular field visits by FDA personnel, as well as continuous training and awareness activities for farmers.
Participants were further encouraged to adopt lowland farming practices as part of efforts to reduce pressure on forest resources and minimize forest loss.
The training combined classroom-based discussions with practical demonstrations. At the end of the exercise, participants received prevention and mitigation starter kits to support the application of the techniques learned on their farms.
According to the FDA, staff assigned to the Gola Forest National Park will conduct regular visits to the participating communities to strengthen early warning systems, monitoring, and reporting of human-wildlife conflicts.
The Porkpa District training marks the completion of the first phase of a series of training sessions that began in early July 2026. The FDA said preparations for the second phase will begin in the coming weeks, with plans to expand the training to more farmers in other parts of Liberia.
Over the past three years, the FDA, working with partners, has trained and supported more than 2,000 farmers in northwestern and southeastern Liberia on the prevention and mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen community participation in wildlife conservation while promoting farming practices that reduce pressure on Liberia’s forests and protected areas.
