A once-dormant agriculture training program at the Liberia Opportunity Industrialization Center (LOIC) in Gbarnga, Bong County, has been revived through a new partnership with the European Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD), bringing renewed hope for youth empowerment and agricultural development in central Liberia.
At the LOIC campus in Gbarnga, young trainees recently gathered around newly delivered farming tools and equipment, marking the start of a revitalised initiative designed to strengthen agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The equipment, donated by IECD, forms part of a collaborative effort aimed at equipping young Liberians with modern agricultural skills while encouraging self-reliance and sustainable farming practices.
Speaking during the presentation of the materials, Boa Lomou, Project Officer for IECD’s Agriculture TVET program, said the initiative is focused on rebuilding practical agricultural education for young people who want to pursue farming as a viable livelihood.
She stated that the of IECD’s goal is focused on reviving the agriculture program so that young people can gain practical skills and become self-reliant, citing that the program emphasizes sustainable agro-ecological farming techniques such as mulching, composting, crop rotation and soil improvement using organic materials. These methods are intended to help farmers maintain soil fertility and productivity without clearing additional land.
For several years, LOIC’s agriculture department had remained largely inactive, limiting opportunities for students interested in agricultural training. The new partnership with IECD aims to address that gap by providing modern equipment, improved teaching materials and hands-on training opportunities.
Under the three-month programme, trainees will receive a blend of classroom instruction and field-based practice. The initiative is designed to ensure participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience essential for modern farming.
As part of the support package, IECD donated wheelbarrows, diggers, sprayers, gloves and protective goggles, along with classroom furniture to improve the learning environment. The organisation also renovated the agriculture classroom to better accommodate trainees and instructors.
In addition to classroom learning, each participant has been assigned an individual farming plot where they can practise the techniques taught during training. Programme coordinators say the approach is intended to help students build confidence and develop the practical skills required for successful agricultural production.
Management at LOIC has welcomed the partnership, describing it as a major opportunity for young people in Bong County and surrounding communities.
Rachel Paye, Manager of LOIC, said agriculture once served as a central pillar of the institution’s training programs and expressed optimism about its revival.She described the collaboration as a great opportunity for the youth of Bong County,, noting Agriculture remains a foundation for development, and we encourage more young people to enrol in the program.
Students participating in the training say the initiative is providing them with renewed hope for a more stable and productive future.
Marian Flomo, one of the trainees, described agriculture as a pathway to self-reliance and said she hopes the programme will help her gain formal skills and certification that can support her livelihood.
Class President Clarence Diggs emphasized the importance of agricultural training in strengthening Liberia’s food security, noting that empowering young farmers could help increase local food production.
Another trainee, J. Daniel Paye, said the programme has the potential to reduce Liberia’s heavy reliance on imported food by encouraging more young people to take up farming.
Destiny Omosco, also a participant, described the training as an important step in her personal development. She encouraged other young people to seek similar opportunities that offer practical and meaningful skills.
IECD officials say the initiative forms part of a broader technical education programme aimed at strengthening vocational training across Liberia. The current project is expected to conclude later this year.
Despite the limited timeline, organizers remain hopeful that the program will create lasting impact by nurturing a new generation of skilled Liberian farmers capable of promoting sustainable agriculture and contributing to long-term youth development in Bong County.
