RAMAT NEGEV, Israel – As Liberia continues to prioritize agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and food security, a group of more than 30 Liberian students undergoing advanced agricultural training in Israel say they are eager to return home and apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired to help transform the sector.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com
Successive Liberian governments have long recognized agriculture as critical to diversifying the economy, reducing poverty, and combating hunger. The current Boakai-Koung administration has elevated the sector to the top of its ARREST Agenda—an acronym for Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism—underscoring its importance to national development.
Speaking to a delegation of journalists from Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone during a visit to Israel’s renowned Ramat Negev Desert Agro-Research and Business Center, the students expressed a shared commitment to returning home after graduation to contribute to Liberia’s agricultural development.
For many of the students, the experience has reinforced their belief that agriculture remains one of Liberia’s greatest opportunities for economic transformation.
“After my studies, I need to go back to my country to serve my people by passing the knowledge on to other young people who are willing to learn,” said Ezekiel B. Owah, one of the Liberian trainees.
“From what we hear through the media and other sources, our government is prioritizing agriculture. The knowledge I am gaining here can help boost Liberia’s economy, and that is why I want to return home and share it with others,” he added.
The Liberian students are among hundreds of participants from Africa and other parts of the world enrolled in intensive agricultural training programs at the Ramat Negev Center, an institution internationally recognized for its expertise in desert agriculture, water management, and climate-resilient farming techniques.
Bringing Home Practical Solutions
For Joanna G. Kollie, 21, who previously studied General Agriculture in Liberia, the training has opened her eyes to practical solutions for some of the challenges confronting Liberia’s agricultural sector.
She pointed specifically to post-harvest losses and inadequate storage systems as areas where lessons from Israel could have an immediate impact.
“Every year during mango season in Liberia, fruits spoil because there are limited storage facilities,” Kollie explained. “Here in Israel, we are learning modern storage management techniques that can help preserve produce for longer periods and reduce waste.”
She emphasized that improving agricultural productivity will require more than policy declarations.
“Agriculture is not office work. It is field work. If we want to improve the sector, we must be willing to get into the fields, work the land, and apply the knowledge we have acquired,” she said.
Kollie also highlighted the importance of investment, noting that access to finance remains essential for building storage facilities, irrigation systems, and other infrastructure needed to sustain agricultural growth.
Determined to Return Home
Several students acknowledged that studying in Israel presents opportunities to remain abroad due to attractive employment prospects. However, many said they are determined to return to Liberia despite those temptations.
Owah recounted his own journey to the program, explaining that he faced multiple rejections before finally being accepted.
“I applied several times and was rejected, but I never gave up,” he said. “When I finally got the opportunity, I understood that I was representing not just myself or my family, but my country.”
He urged future scholarship recipients to remain focused on their educational goals and avoid abandoning their studies for short-term employment opportunities.
“Sometimes people will encourage you to leave school and work in the city because the money looks attractive,” he said. “But we have a responsibility to return home and use what we have learned to help our country develop.”
Plans to Drive Change
Another student, Augustine T. Mulbah, 26, who is specializing in Animal Science, revealed that he and several colleagues are already discussing ways to organize themselves upon their return to Liberia.
According to Mulbah, the students hope to establish an organization that can mobilize resources and support agricultural initiatives aimed at improving productivity, livestock management, and food security.
The students said their exposure to state-of-the-art farming technologies, efficient irrigation systems, modern livestock practices, and climate-smart agricultural methods has strengthened their conviction that agriculture can become a major engine of growth in Liberia.
Among those who spoke with journalists were Joseph Sackie, Augustine Mulbah, and Moses Flomo, all of whom described agriculture as the foundation of Liberia’s future prosperity.
They noted that many of the techniques being taught in Israel—including water conservation, drought-resistant crop production, and sustainable land-management practices—could be adapted to Liberia’s agricultural environment and help increase yields while reducing losses.
Learning from a Global Agricultural Success Story
Located in Israel’s southern desert region, the Ramat Negev Desert Agro-Research and Business Center has gained international recognition for pioneering innovations that have enabled farming to thrive in one of the world’s most challenging environments.
The center serves as a training hub for students and agricultural professionals from developing countries seeking practical solutions to climate-related and food-production challenges.
Elisha Zurgil, an international agricultural adviser at the center, said Israel’s success demonstrates how technology and innovation can transform even the harshest landscapes into productive agricultural zones.
“Israel has been able to make the desert green through technology, research, and efficient resource management,” Zurgil said. “We consistently produce agricultural surpluses despite limited natural resources.”
Having worked on agricultural projects across Africa, including Kenya, Zurgil expressed optimism that the Liberian students would play an important role in advancing agricultural development in their home country.
“We are happy to train these students because when they return home, they become ambassadors of knowledge,” he said. “They can share what they have learned and help create opportunities for others.”
As they prepare to complete their studies, the students remain united by a common goal: returning to Liberia equipped with new skills, practical experience, and a determination to help build a stronger and more productive agricultural sector.
