China, Liberia plan to boost agriculture

Partnership focuses on farm development and training opportunities

The China-Liberia Agriculture Corp Project Team, based at the China-aided Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center in Suakoko, Bong county, Liberia, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kpatawee Farmer Based Organization to enhance agriculture production in the Kpatawee waterfall area in Bong county.

"This memorandum aims to establish a framework for cooperation and understanding in order to promote agricultural technology and further strengthen bilateral cooperation and technical training, demonstration, extension and farm development," says Kobe Zhang, vice-general manager of the China-Liberia Agriculture Corp Project Team. "We will achieve the objectives of this MOU through regular consultations, and that assurance has been demonstrated since the construction of this center."

The China-Liberia Agriculture Corp Project Team comprises professionals brought to the center by the Chinese government to support Liberia's Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Agriculture Research Institute to enhance agriculture technology and sustainability of agriculture development in Liberia. The Kpatawee Farmer Based Organization is a local agriculture production group. It looks forward to including advanced Chinese technology to improve agricultural production and increase food yield.

Zhang says agricultural exchange and technological cooperation have gained successful experience to consolidate, develop and strengthen cooperation in the fields of agriculture production and training.

"This agricultural technology exchange and cooperation partnership focuses on farm development that includes rice and vegetable production, training and exchanges of practical technology of agriculture, introduction of new agricultural technology and varieties, and research demonstration, among other things," Zhang says.

As part of the memorandum of understanding, the Kpatawee Farmer Based Organization and the China-Liberia Agriculture Corp Project Team also signed an agriculture production repurchase contract with Pan Atlantic International Trade Inc.

Zhang says that under the contract, Pan Atlantic International Trade will purchase produce from the farm in Kpatawee.

The contract pertains to the production of upland paddies and lowland rice and vegetable varieties, including Chinese pepper, eggplant, Chinese long beans and bitter gourd. The first phase of the project runs from June 1 to January 31, 2018. During this period, four hectares of lowland and four hectares of upland rice, as well as 0.4 hectares of vegetables, will be cultivated for the first season and expanded according to demand, Zhang says.

The China-Liberia Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center has begun the improvement of agriculture in Liberia and is affiliated with Liberia Longping Agriculture Development Co in China, he says, adding that production, post-harvest activities and storage facilities are major priorities in the agreement to increase farm production in Kpatawee.

Zhang also says there have been numerous training opportunities for Liberians in the areas of animal husbandry, machine operation and other agricultural activities since the establishment of the center by Chinese agriculture technicians.

Kpatawee Farmer Based Organization Co-chairman Christopher Vatiker praises the management of the center and says the community is fully prepared to support the project.

Thomas Gbokie, Liberia's deputy agriculture minister for regional development, research and extension, says he appreciates the Chinese government's valuable assistance.