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By: Richard Williams/ 0775339618/ 0881084573/ [email protected]
Bomi County, Liberia – The West Africa Learning Center for No-Till Agriculture International (WALCENTAI) has launched a specialized training program in Bomi County, aimed at equipping farmers with innovative no-till agricultural practices. This initiative seeks to empower mainly youth with technical skills and knowledge in crop and animal production.
Providing an overview of the program, WALCENTAI’s Country Representative, Mr. Sylvester Kpai, emphasized that the organization was established to bridge the technical capacity gap among Liberians, ensuring a positive impact on young people’s lives for sustainable development and growth.
Mr. Kpai expressed gratitude to the people of Bomi County for providing land for the construction of the school. He announced that the institution will offer a one-year diploma program in practical agriculture, enabling students to make meaningful contributions to Liberia’s agricultural development.
In his remarks, Mr. Kpai called on the county and its residents to set aside political and tribal divisions and embrace investment opportunities that have the potential to transform lives and drive genuine progress.
“WALCENTAI is here to stay, and everyone has a role to play in our success. Let’s put aside politics and tribalism and use this agricultural school to become self-sufficient. The people of Bomi are hardworking; they just need the right support to engage in large-scale agricultural production,” he stated.
Serving as the guest speaker at the event, the Deputy Minister for Regional Development, Research, and Extension Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, Hon. Moses R. Gbaryan, delivered a speech on the theme: “The Importance of Vocational Training in Nation-Building.”
He encouraged Liberians, particularly the youth in Bomi, to seize the learning opportunities available to them, acquiring specialized technical and practical skills to address industry gaps, reduce unemployment, and promote sustainable economic development.
“It’s time to bridge the gap, particularly for the people of Bomi County. Our future depends on us. This vocational training will foster self-employment and job creation,” Hon. Gbaryan emphasized.
A key financing partner of the project and Chairperson of WALCENTAI’s Board of Directors, Mr. Jeffrey Miller, urged Liberians to view the agricultural sector as a revolutionary force capable of driving food production and economic stability. He highlighted rice production, aquaculture, and irrigation as primary areas of focus for WALCENTAI in its mission to transform Liberia’s agricultural landscape.
Mr. Miller reaffirmed WALCENTAI’s commitment to supporting practical agricultural education, ensuring that Liberian farmers have access to modern equipment and innovative farming techniques that enhance productivity and food security.
Also speaking at the program, the Town Chief of Maher Community, where the training center is located, expressed appreciation for the initiative. He encouraged local youth to enroll in the school to acquire essential technical and practical skills for personal and community development. He also urged them to protect the facility and its resources to facilitate further infrastructure development in the area.
Outlining the offerings of WALCENTAI’s one-year diploma program, Administrator Mr. Oliver Kekel stated that students will receive training in aquaculture, animal husbandry, root and tuber farming, rice and vegetable production, and tree crop management. According to Mr. Kekel, the institution aims to be a center of excellence for agricultural education in Liberia.
This initiative is one of the many projects spearheaded by JENNEH’S FARM USA and LIBERIA, designed to enhance agricultural education and cultivate a new generation of skilled farmers committed to improving food security in Liberia.
