By: Emmanuel Ballah
GBARNGA, BONG COUNTY – The National Investment Commission (NIC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), has launched a three-day capacity-building training for farmer cooperatives in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The training is part of the Liberia Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) project, a US$19 million initiative funded by the African Development Bank and the Arab Bank for Development. The project aims to add value to locally produced crops and provide expanded market access for Liberian farmers.
Speaking at the official opening of the training held at the Harvest Intercontinental Church in Gbarnga on Tuesday, Mr. Mark Y. Yarnlay, a contractor and the SAPZ Project Training Coordinator in Bong County, emphasized the goals of the workshop. He noted that the training is designed to enhance the capacity of farmer cooperatives in sustainable agriculture, climate-smart practices, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from farming.
Yarnlay stressed that these efforts are crucial in helping farmers produce high-quality crops that meet processing standards and reduce post-harvest losses. According to him, the project aims to train approximately fifty farmer cooperatives across Bong, Grand Bassa, Nimba, and Grand Cape Mount Counties, with three additional counties expected to join soon.
“Over the years, we’ve faced challenges with raw materials in Liberia because produce often doesn’t make it from the farm gate to the market,” Yarnlay said. “This time, the NIC, MOA, and their partners are working together to reset and revitalize the country’s agriculture sector.”
Yarnlay also disclosed plans for the construction of a major agro-processing facility in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, along with sub-processing zones in Bong, Nimba, and Grand Cape Mount. “We have acquired 210 hectares of land in Buchanan to build an industrial factory that will support all value chains outlined in the training manual,” he announced.
Also speaking at the event, Bong County Agriculture Coordinator Robert B. Taylor expressed optimism about the project’s potential to transform the agricultural landscape and improve farmers’ livelihoods. Taylor revealed that a site has already been selected for the construction of an industrial zone in Bong County. “We have chosen the LPMC site in Gbarnga for this purpose,” he said.
He encouraged participants to fully engage in the training and take advantage of the opportunities it presents. “This is a chance for you to position yourselves for growth and long-term success in agriculture,” Taylor urged.
