By Stephanie M. Duncan
Monrovia-Liberia has received the first consignment of agricultural equipment from China as part of efforts to boost mechanized farming and increase food production across the country.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Antoinette F. Dukuly said the initial consignment comprises eight loads of agricultural equipment, while an additional 42 loads are expected to arrive on September 25.
She said the equipment includes tractors, power trailers, trucks and other machinery intended to support farmers and expand agricultural production.
“This is a great deal for farmers,” Deputy Minister Dukuly said, adding that the equipment would help farmers increase production and move from small-scale farming to larger-scale agricultural activities.
According to her, the equipment will be distributed across all 15 counties to ensure that farmers throughout the country benefit from the initiative.
Deputy Minister Dukuly said the initiative originated from the Ministry of Agriculture’s vision to move Liberia away from reliance on basic farming tools and improve agricultural mechanization.
She explained that the Agriculture Ministry engaged Chinese partners after recognizing the need to provide farmers with machinery capable of increasing production and helping Liberia grow more food locally.
The deputy minister said the initiative is being implemented through a public-private partnership, with a private entity expected to manage the equipment in collaboration with the government.
She described the support as part of China’s assistance to Liberia.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to train Liberians to operate, maintain and repair the equipment.
Deputy Minister Dukuly said Chinese technical personnel are expected to arrive in Liberia next month to conduct training for more than 130 young people from various counties.
The training is scheduled to begin on October 10 and will run for 40 days.
She said the program will include a “training of trainers” component to ensure that Liberia has local personnel capable of handling equipment breakdowns and carrying out basic repairs.
Deputy Minister Dukuly also said women are being encouraged to apply for the training as the government seeks to increase their participation in the agricultural mechanization sector.
The initiative is expected to provide farmers with access to modern agricultural machinery while building local capacity to operate and maintain the equipment.
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