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By Arthur Tucker, Contributor
The Government of Liberia (GOL), in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has provided significant logistical support to the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and enhancing market access across rural communities.
Included in the 2025 fiscal budget, the Government has supplied the CDA with a Land Cruiser jeep, eight Yamaha motorbikes, and a wide array of essential farming tools such as wheelbarrows, shovels, watering cans, and rain gear. IFAD has complemented this support by contributing three laptops and an additional three motorbikes specifically intended to enhance supervision of cooperative groups and cocoa producers in Lofa County.
These contributions are designed to empower CDA field inspectors, significantly improving their capacity to offer extension services, facilitate market connectivity, and consequently support rural farmers in achieving higher levels of food production.
During the official handover ceremony held recently at CDA headquarters in Paynesville, Registrar General Madam Lwopu Kandakai expressed gratitude to the Government and IFAD for their timely support, emphasizing its alignment with CDA’s ongoing initiative to transition cooperative societies into sustainable and productive entities.
“Cooperative societies are the foundation of our efforts to ensure food security, alleviate poverty, and maintain peace,” Madam Kandakai remarked. She urged CDA field staff to appreciate and effectively utilize the logistical assistance, labeling it as a significant milestone in their ongoing work.
Madam Kandakai cautioned field personnel against misuse of the provided equipment, stating clearly, “These resources must strictly be used for their intended purposes, not for personal or private business activities. Any deviation from this directive will attract administrative consequences. Let us remember, 2025 is dedicated to delivering tangible outcomes—not excuses.”
She further highlighted the CDA’s commitment to effectively implementing Liberia’s Agricultural, Rural Economic Stimulus and Transformation (ARREST) Agenda, underscoring the broad scope of cooperative development beyond agriculture, including sectors such as mining and credit unions.
Moreover, Madam Kandakai called upon all cooperative societies nationwide to renew their registration certificates before the March 31, 2025 deadline, stressing the importance of compliance in ensuring organizational legitimacy and effectiveness.
Hon. Edwina J. Boima, CDA Deputy Registrar General for Cooperative Development Services, received the donations on behalf of the field staff, expressing profound appreciation to both the GOL and IFAD. “This donation is indeed a game-changer,” she stated enthusiastically. “With the mobility offered by these motorbikes, our inspectors will now reach previously inaccessible markets, while the provided farming tools will enable our farmers to adopt improved agricultural practices.”
Madam Boima concluded by underscoring the importance of these resources in enhancing CDA’s operational efficiency and contributing significantly to the productivity and success of cooperatives across Liberia.
The collaboration between GOL and IFAD underscores a commitment to advancing agricultural development and economic resilience in Liberia’s rural communities, paving the way for increased productivity and prosperity among farmers.
