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By Thomas West /0888972432/0775084260/ [email protected]
Monrovia, Liberia – In a bid to enhance women’s participation in agriculture and address the challenges posed by climate change, over 100 women recently completed an intensive eight-day training program in Agroecology, Climate Change, and Sustainable Agriculture Practices.
The training, organized by Women in Agriculture for Sustainable Development (WASUDEV) in collaboration with the Kwakeh Multipurpose Agriculture Cooperative and supported by Kvinna Till Kvinna, was designed to equip participants with critical skills to tackle unsustainable farming methods and promote climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Madam Hawa Dunor Varnery, the Executive Director of Women in Agriculture for Sustainable Development, highlighted the significance of the training, emphasizing that it aimed to empower women with the necessary knowledge and skills to improve agricultural practices and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
“In this training, we focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation techniques, which are crucial for the survival of our agricultural systems,” Madam Dunor explained in an exclusive interview. “Our goal is to ensure that these women not only gain theoretical knowledge but also acquire practical, hands-on experience. Agriculture plays an essential role in our nation’s development, and women must be equipped to lead in this sector.”
The training provided participants with an opportunity to engage in practical activities, learning by doing, a method that was particularly emphasized throughout the course. The hands-on nature of the training allowed the women to directly apply new skills in Agroecology and sustainable farming practices, ensuring they could immediately use the knowledge gained to improve their livelihoods.
Madam Dunor also revealed plans to extend the training to additional women in two counties: Bong and Margibi. She expressed confidence that these regions would benefit significantly from the program, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to reaching more women across Liberia.
“The women are more than ready to take on leadership roles in agriculture,” said Madam Dunor. “However, they need the necessary financial and technical support to thrive in this space. We are committed to creating those opportunities and empowering them to succeed.”
One of the trainees, Tenneh, a 39-year-old mother of five, shared how the training had impacted her. “I’ve always worked as a gardener to support my family, but with the knowledge I’ve gained, I now feel confident in expanding my backyard garden to grow more crops for the market,” Tenneh said. “This training has truly been life-changing for me.”
Other participants at the training site in the suburb of Monrovia expressed similar sentiments, thanking the organizers for providing them with such valuable tools for personal and professional growth. For many of these women, the program marked a crucial step toward economic independence, equipping them to contribute more significantly to Liberia’s agricultural sector.
As Liberia continues to face the effects of climate change and a growing demand for sustainable farming practices, initiatives like these are critical in supporting women’s leadership in agriculture and fostering long-term environmental and economic resilience
