By Amos Harris
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has strengthened its commitment to transforming Liberia’s agricultural sector with the donation of 16 Yamaha motorbikes and 32 helmets to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).
The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Louis Kuukpen, UNDP Resident Representative for Programme, described the donation as part of the ongoing Accelerated Community Development Programme (ACDP), an initiative launched in 2022 by the Liberian Government.
Co-funded by the Government of Liberia and UNDP the ACDP addresses pressing needs in rural communities, focusing on agriculture, health and education.
He said Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, energy and infrastructure are key to bridge the urban-rural divide and reduce poverty.
Since its inception, the ACDP programme has delivered substantial results across Liberia’s development landscape:
Agriculture: Transitioned 12 Farmers-Based Organizations into agricultural cooperatives, distributed 14 tractors with trailers, trained 28 operators and provided tools to over 2,000 farmers.
Essential equipment, including rice mills, cassava mills, sugarcane mills, threshers, and combined harvesters, valued at over $700,000 USD, has been provided to bolster farming activities.
Water: Completed three solar-powered water infrastructure projects in Gbarpolu and Bong Counties, valued at $388,641.23 USD, improving access to clean water for rural communities.
Health: Donated seven customized ambulances worth $354,385.64 USD to underserved communities in Sasstown, Charlesville, Lofa, Maryland, Nimba, Rivercess, and Rivergee Counties.
The latest donation, valued at $56,000 USD, will enhance the logistical capabilities of MOA extension staff, allowing them to better support farmers and agricultural cooperatives, particularly in ACDP-targeted communities.
In addition to the motorbikes, UNDP revealed plans to construct three agricultural processing and storage facilities in Gbarpolu, Bong, and Rivercess Counties. Construction of the first facility is scheduled to begin in Bopolu City in January 2025.
These facilities aim to reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access for farmers, and increase their incomes.
Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, Hence Williams, lauded UNDP’s continued support.
He emphasizing that modernizing Liberia’s agriculture sector is pivotal to achieving the country’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
“When farmers are equipped with training and modern tools, they can transition from subsistence farming to commercial investment, reducing poverty and ensuring food security,” he stated.
This latest intervention by UNDP reaffirms its commitment to fostering sustainable development, enhancing livelihoods, and empowering rural communities across Liberia.
The program’s comprehensive approach is seen as a critical step toward achieving food security and economic transformation in the country.
Visited 4 times, 4 visit(s) today
