By Bill W. Cooper
The government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has donated several fleet of Yamaha motorbikes, a pickup truck, and essential farming utensils to the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA).
Items donated by the government are eight Yamaha Motorbikes, one Land Cruiser Jeep, and Farming Implements, wheelbarrow, while contributed to the field staff of Lofa County three Yamaha, and three laptops computers.
The donation, accordingly is aimed at empowering CDA inspectors through improve access to markets, and ultimately strengthening the agricultural, sector coupled with enhancing agricultural productivity and support to rural development in Liberia.
The event, held over the weekend, at the CDA office in Paynesville, further underscored the commitment of both the government and partner to foster sustainable agricultural practices and enhance food security in the country.
Agriculture is a cornerstone of the Liberian economy, but the sector has since faced numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to markets, and a lack of modern farming equipment, especially since the end of the civil war.
But the recent donation, according to CDA management is a crucial step towards addressing these issues and transforming the agricultural landscape, in line with the government’s ARREST agenda for inclusive development .
One of the mandates of the Cooperative Development Agency(CDA) is to facilitate the organization of grassroots associations, farmers, and non-farmers organizations, including women and youth groups into viable cooperative societies throughout Liberia.
During the ceremony, CDA Registrar General, Lowpu Kandakai, emphasized the importance of the donation in promoting agricultural productivity, and said, “Today marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to revitalize the agricultural sector.
“The motorbikes, pickup and other materials will facilitate better transportation for our field personnel, enabling them to access markets more efficiently. The farming utensils will provide them with the necessary tools to enhance their work,” she noted.
According to her, cooperatives are the foot soldiers of food production, food security and the medicine for poverty reduction and peace, and noted, “Therefore, we are here today, to say thank you to the Government and IFAD for the logistical support.”
“Because this will enable the agency to vigorously implement its mandate and ensure the successful implementation of the ARREST Agenda, and please be reminded that cooperative doesn’t only cover agriculture, it also include Mining, Credit union, among others,” she intoned.
She however clarified that the contribution from the government was made through their budgetary allotment for Fiscal Year (Fy2025), marking the first donation to the institution within 10 years period.
She asserted, “To our field staffs, who are the end users of these motorbikes, we employed you in the counties because you already had your own coping mechanism in place, but these bikes are not for personal use, family and friends.”
“The bikes are for the full implementation of the agency’s mandate and administrative actions will be taken against violators. 2025 is the year of deliverables and not for abundant excuses because it will not be tolerated.”
“Finally, let me use this medium to inform all cooperatives that the end of certificates retrieval is March 31, 2025. Once again, let’s grow what we eat and eat what we grow as our President has mandated us,” she added.
Receiving the items on behalf of the field staff, CDA Deputy Registrar General for Cooperative Development Services, Edwina J. Boima, expressed gratitude for the support, and noted, “This donation is a game-changer for my field men.”
“With the motorbikes, they can now reach markets that were previously inaccessible. The farming utensils will also help us improve their production methods. We are excited about the opportunities this brings,” she added.
