As UNDP Accelerated Community Development Program Progresses
By Alfred Kollie alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com BOPOLU, Liberia- The United Nations Development Programme in Liberia Ends Five-Day Training for Agro-Farm Equipment Operators in Bopolu City with funding from the Government of Liberia, implemented by the UNDP under its Accelerated Community Development Program (ACDP).
UNDP Liberia concluded the training program for Agro Farm equipment operators in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County in northwest of the country.
The training, held under the Accelerated Community Development Program (ACDP), with funding from the Government of Liberia, and implemented by the UNDP. It aimed to enhance agricultural skills for six cooperatives in Gbarpolu and Bomi Counties.
ACDP, an initiative of the Liberian Government, focuses on agriculture and food security, infrastructure, affordable and clean energy, health, education, and water and sanitation.
It aims to reduce inequality between urban and rural communities.
Mr. Odaphus M. Dahn, the Project Associate, highlighted the importance of addressing poverty and inequality, particularly between rural and urban areas.
Mr. Dahn explained that the training covered the usage, maintenance, and repair of tractor implements, including rice transplanters, power tillers, and combined harvesters.
He urged participants to maximize the opportunity to contribute to Liberia’s food self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imported food.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Dahn emphasized the potential for Liberia to produce her food and encouraged participants to take the cooperative business seriously.
He thanked the participants for their cooperation and stressed the importance of utilizing the training to improve food production.
The training was conducted simultaneously in Bong and Gbarpolu counties, with 56 participants from Bomi, Gbarpolu, Nimba, Bong, Lofa, and Rivercess Counties, including women from fourteen ACDP agricultural cooperative communities.
The 20-day training included five days of theory lessons and 15 days of practical field demonstrations.
To ensure compliance with objectives and assess the training’s impact, the ACDP team will undertake periodic monitoring and document lessons learned through pre- and post-delivery assessments.
Gbarpolu County Agriculture Coordinator, Madam Weedor Cegbe expressed gratitude to UNDP Liberia for the training, describing it as empowering for farmers.
Representing the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture, Madam Cegbe highlighted the challenges faced in previous farming activities and encouraged participants to use their new skills to benefit their families, counties, and the nation.
Participants appreciated UNDP Liberia and the trainers for the knowledge gained, noting that the training was a boost to their farming activities.
Esther Mulbah, one of the tractor operators, shared that the skills gained increased her confidence and value, and she is willing to train other women within the cooperative.
To increase monitoring, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has assigned County Agriculture Coordinators or Extension Officers to represent each county at the training, fostering collaboration between UNDP and MOA in ACDP implementation and ensuring the sustainability of interventions.