PHOTO: Salayea Commissioner Ben K. Gorlema (Left) and Paramount Chief Mamatouma Siryon (Right) seconds before cutting ribbon to plant
By Our Staff Writer
The local not for profit organization, Camp for Peace has dedicated a cassava plant to enhance agriculture activities in Salayea District, Lofa County.
The plant, according to the Executive Director of the organization, Abel Learwellie, will help empower young people in the district through training and getting them involved in agriculture activities.
Mr. Learwellie also disclosed that the construction and dedication of the plant will enable graduates of its vocational program to put to practice what they have learned.
“The plant in Salayea is a short range sustainable project” Mr. Learwellie said, adding that the one erected in Zorzor, Lofa County is yielding positive results.
He said about 15 acres of land with cassava will be processed into farina for sale on the local market.
He said his organization is working on long and medium sustainable plans to ensure that youths remain proactive in their agriculture activities.
The project according to Mr. Leawearllie, targets more than 200 youths in the district.
He noted that development can also be achieved through practical steps and not only advocacy.
“In poverty, no one can sustain advocacy. That is my driving force behind initiating my organization’s agriculture program in Lofa”, Learwellie added.
Mr. Learwellie wants government and other partners to assist in improving their agriculture program.
The Camp for Peace Executive Director said the newly dedicated machine can process up to 150 bags cassava a day.
He has lauded the people of Salayea and the local government, for giving them land for what he terms an “impactful project” that will sustainably serve the local population of Salayea District.
He has at the same time encouraged youths to use the program to transform their lives.
The Liberian development practitioner used the occasion to express sincere appreciation to the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation and Steel Workers Humanity Fund of Canada for the grant.
“The total grant is USD 5,700, which has been expended on equipment and plant construction.
For his their part, the Commission and Paramount Chief of Salayea District, Ben K. Gorlema and Mamatouma Siryon said they were grateful to Camp for Peace for its resilience and courage to continue helping young people in the country.
Commissioner Gorlema also thanked donors for making such a grant is which is meant exclusively for youth development.
The Salayea District Commissioner has meanwhile encouraged farmers to embark on cassava planting as one of the fastest ways to make money and enhance food security.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Elijah Varney said their worries over processing produce from their cassava farms are over.
“We have planted over 10 acres of cassava, and have been worried about processing them, Varney said”.
He continued saying, now with the dedication of these machines, we are relieved of our worries”.
The beneficiaries’ spoke person thanked Camp for Peace Liberia and donors for making the fund available.