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— Hands over YAMAHA motorcycles worth US$56K
As part of ongoing support to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has handed over 16 YAMAHA motorbikes and (32) thirty-two head melts worth US$56k to strengthen extension delivery service.
The donation is under the Accelerated Community Development Programme (ACDP) implemented by the UNDP. The ACDP was launched in 2022 by the Government of Liberia to address the pressing needs of the rural population to reduce poverty and inequality that exist between urban and rural dwellers.
Louis Kuukpen is UNDP Deputy Representative for Liberia disclosed that as a flagship program, the ACDP key areas of intervention include agriculture, WASH, energy, health, education, infrastructure, among others.
The program is aligned with the current national development plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). Mr. Kuukpen also indicated that as part of the ongoing initiatives under the ACDP, UNDP is turning over a total of sixteen (16) Yamaha motorcycles and thirty-two (32) helmets to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to help strengthen the logistical capacity of its extension staff, who are expected to provide technical support to farmers and cooperatives across Liberia, most especially in ACDP-supported communities.
“It is worth noting that the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) places a premium on agriculture because this sector is seen as the vehicle that will drive the economic and social transformation and revitalization of Liberian society,” he indicated.
He told officials of the Ministry that over the past year plus, the ACDP, co-funded by the Government of Liberia and implemented by the UNDP, has delivered some hardcore impactful results in both the agriculture, WASH sectors, and health sectors of Liberia.
Kuukpen said: “In the agriculture sector, the Programme has supported the transition of 12 farming communities and individuals from Farmers-Based Organizations (FBOs) into Agriculture Cooperatives; delivered 14 tractors and trailers and cane mills; trained 28 operators of the tractors; delivered rice, cassava, and SU-distributed rice threshers and combined harvesters to fourteen cooperatives; and provided basic farming tools such as cutlasses, hoes, etc. to over two thousand individual farmers.”
However, he further disclosed that the total invested in the agriculture sector is over US$700,000.
Meanwhile, in the WASH sector, three out of five solar-powered multipurpose water infrastructures have been completed in Mardina and Totoquelleh (Gbarpolu County) and Donfah (Bong County) and are ready to be turned over to beneficiary communities this Friday, December 20, 2024.
He said “the combined value of the five water infrastructures is put at a total of ($U388,641,23), listing between urban and rural dwellers far. In the health sector, he also disclosed that the ACDP has donated seven (7) multi-purpose tailor-made ambulances valued at (US$354,385.64) to the Ministry of Health in 2024 to solve some of the health needs of some of the most vulnerable communities, including ACDP-supported communities across Liberia.
These communities include Sass Town in Bomi County; Mbabahum, Barziwen, Kpayaquelleh, & Massamolahum in Lofa County; Charlesville in Margibi County; Karloken and Gorton in Baraken in Maryland County; Saclepea, Sopea, Gbedin, and Duo-Nimba County; Zammie Town in Rivercess County; and Karweaken in River Gee County.
In his remarks, he mentions that when farmers are empowered through training and given modern farming equipment and tools to do mechanized farming, they will produce more foods and feed themselves while at the same time selling the surpluses to earn money for their pockets, thereby reducing poverty.
“We have to all see agriculture beyond subsistence farming to commercial investment. UNDP is also happy to announce plans for the construction of three agriculture processing and storage facilities in Gbarpolu, Bong, and Rivercess. The first facility is expected to be constructed in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County, beginning early January 2025.
“I am glad and delighted to thank the Ministry of Agriculture for forming part of the joint team that inspected some of the ongoing agriculture interventions in the three counties, but also for the crucial role played in identifying one of the three sites in Bopolu City. I am also grateful for the collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Internal Affairs that led to the donation of 2.5 acres of land at the MOA sub-office in Bopolu.”
The construction of the processing and storage facility is very critical because, when completed and equipped with relevant equipment and technology, it will help to solve some of the problems associated with post-harvest losses that farmers usually experience.
The facility will also be used to link farmers directly to the market, thereby helping them to generate income from their farm produce. As I conclude, I want to emphasize that UNDP stands ready to enhance coordination with other development partners, as well as to provide support and advisory services to the government in fostering development strategies and policies, as well as resource mobilization, especially resources that will expand the scope and operations of the ACDP to other parts of Liberia.
Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the MOA, Hedd Solomon Williams, lauded the UNDP for their continued support of the Ministry. Minister Williams believes that with these kinds of support, rural farmer’s impacts can be felt. “This is laudable, especially with these kinds of initiatives that impact our farmers in the rural areas. These motorcycles that you are contributing to, I can assure you that they will be used for the intended purpose.
The Minister also said the Ministry underscored to all its development partners that the national agriculture development plan should always be aligned with the government, and this initiative indicates an alignment, especially when you are supporting the rural communities.
“Giving out equipment is one thing, but the issues of maintenance have been a serious challenge, however, and we at the Ministry want to assure you that these bikes will be utilized and given to our local farmers.
