Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By Josiah Pailay +231881913880/+231775260307 [email protected]
The Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN), with support from the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), Wednesday, March 26, 2025, concluded a one-day Agricultural Journalism Seminar at the Amazing Plaza in Paynesville City, near Monrovia.
The seminar, held under the theme “Strengthening Agricultural Journalism in Liberia to Improve Farmers’ Access to Information,” sought to enhance the skills of agricultural journalists across the country. This training aimed to equip media professionals with essential tools to effectively report on agricultural issues, contributing to national development and informed policymaking.
In his opening remarks, LAEJN Executive Jefferson Massah emphasized the vital role of journalists in the development of Liberia’s agricultural sector. He highlighted the importance of strengthening agricultural journalism to bridge the information gap between policymakers, agricultural stakeholders, and farmers.
“The role of journalists in agricultural development cannot be overstated. Through quality reporting, journalists can uncover challenges, showcase success stories, and advocate for policies that positively impact farmers and the sector,” said Mr. Massah.
Deputy Minister for Regional Development, Research, and Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture, Hon. Moses Gbanyan, who represented Agriculture Minister Alexander Nueteh, commended LAEJN for its ongoing efforts in amplifying farmers’ voices and disseminating critical agricultural information. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating closely with LAEJN to enhance agricultural journalism and improve information dissemination to smallholder farmers.
“The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to working with LAEJN to improve farmers’ access to vital information. Strengthening agricultural journalism is a key step toward ensuring food security and fostering economic growth,” Gbanyan stated as he officially declared the seminar open.
Steven M. Werblow, President of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), also addressed the gathering, discussing the role of IFAJ in fostering global agricultural journalism. He highlighted the importance of international collaboration among media professionals in strengthening agricultural reporting worldwide.
The seminar brought together 35 agricultural journalists from across Liberia, along with key stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture, Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Agency (LACRA) , the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA), the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) including other international development partners.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including providing journalists with an in-depth understanding of the country’s agricultural policies and priorities, discussion of the role of international media collaboration in agricultural reporting, impact storytelling techniques that address not only challenges but also solutions for agricultural development, understanding how to report on sustainability and climate change within the agricultural context and the utilization of digital tools for effective research, investigation, and data reporting in agriculture among others
The seminar also helped participants sharpen their investigative skills, research techniques, and digital storytelling abilities, enabling them to tackle agricultural stories more comprehensively.
LAEJN, established on June 15, 2015, continues to empower journalists to report on agricultural and environmental topics, contributing to sustainable development and conservation efforts in Liberia. In July 2018, LAEJN attained full membership in IFAJ, joining a global network of agricultural journalists.
Participants expressed gratitude for the seminar, acknowledging its significance in improving agricultural reporting. They committed to applying their newly acquired skills to enhance the quality of agricultural journalism in Liberia and contribute to the development of the sector.
