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By Josiah Pailay
josiahpailay96@gmail.com | +231 881913880 / +231 775260307
More than 44 students from Bong County have graduated with diplomas from the Arava International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT) in Israel, following an intensive 11-month program combining academic study with hands-on field experience. This could mark a turning point in Liberia’s quest for agricultural transformation.
The graduates—drawn from Cuttington University, Bong County Technical College, CEPRESS International University, and Sumo Moye Technical College—are returning home equipped not just with diplomas but with globally relevant knowledge and entrepreneurial skills aimed at tackling Liberia’s food security challenges.
Over 11 months, the trainees were immersed in hands-on agricultural techniques, cutting-edge technologies, and sustainable farming models—elements that are largely lacking in Liberia’s current agricultural education framework. The AICAT program, based in Israel’s arid Arava region, is renowned for merging academic theory with rigorous field application, especially in water management, desert agriculture, and agribusiness innovation.
According to AICAT, its goal is to produce a new generation of agricultural professionals who can serve as change agents in their home countries. For Liberia, this cohort arrives at a time when the government is under increasing pressure to reduce reliance on food imports and boost local production.
Graduate Peter Kollie, speaking via Messenger, summarized the group’s outlook: “We came as students, but we leave as agricultural ambassadors—ready to impact our communities, empower rural farmers, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s food security.”
This sentiment reflects a broader shift in the country’s approach to agriculture—from subsistence to sustainability, from aid dependence to knowledge-driven growth. These graduates are expected to play roles not only as extension agents and agripreneurs but also as advocates for climate-smart and market-oriented farming.
Observers note that the success of this training program is a testament to the value of strategic global partnerships. Coordinated by Mr. Jacob Dennis in Liberia, the initiative was supported through collaboration between the Government of Liberia, AICAT, and international education stakeholders. The program serves as a case study in how targeted capacity-building can support national development priorities.
AICAT has been lauded not just for its curriculum but for its holistic mentorship model. Students reported that instructors instilled not only technical competencies but also leadership, resilience, and global citizenship—skills critical to navigating Liberia’s complex agricultural landscape.
As the Class of 2025 prepares to return in the coming weeks, the stakes are high. Their reintegration into Liberia’s agriculture sector will test the country’s institutional readiness to absorb and deploy skilled professionals in meaningful roles. Policymakers and development partners are being urged to create enabling environments—through funding, mentorship, and policy reform—to ensure that these graduates don’t become another case of “brain gain without impact.”
In a country where youth unemployment remains high and agriculture underperforms despite its potential, this group of young professionals represents a rare convergence of hope, talent, and training. The challenge now lies in translating that potential into scalable results.
