Food and Enterprise Development (FED) Program for Liberia Monthly Report January 2012

The program is implemented by DAI/FED and focuses on establishing field offices in various counties, including Margibi, Bong, Grand Basa, Lofa, and Nimba. Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture is a key component of the program, with a focus on high-value vegetable production. In January 2012, the program conducted a search for potential treadle pump manufacturers and trainers. Two metal workshops, SMART Welding Garage and Moonlight Metal Work Garage, were selected for training in the manufacture of the treadle pump. These workshops were chosen based on their equipment, staff competence, and commercial connections to rural Liberia. The program also selected a treadle pump manufacturer trainer, Dennis Wilson, who has experience as a metal worker and trainer. Consultant Lassané Zongo began training Mr. Wilson on January 26, and they will train the first two pump manufacturers starting on February 2. The program aims to establish a working capital fund for the manufacturers by having them fabricate five pumps each, which will become their property. In addition to the treadle pump manufacturer selection, the program also selected vegetable producer trainers and extension agents. William Dent was hired as a short-term consultancy contract as the vegetable production trainer, while Ivee Gopyer and Flomo Pewu were hired as extension agents. The program also selected vegetable production trainees, with approximately 280 individuals signing up in late December and January. The program's ICT in Agribusiness component organized an upcoming training package for community-based radio stations and students from the Booker Washington Institute. The training will be conducted at the Liberia Media Centre through IREX as a resource point. The program's Field Coordination activities included establishing field offices, conducting field visits to assess ICT involvement in agribusiness, and organizing training for community-based radio stations and students. The program's Monitoring and Evaluation component conducted a baseline survey to assess the program's progress and impact. Overall, the FED Program for Liberia is making progress in establishing its field offices, selecting potential treadle pump manufacturers and trainers, and selecting vegetable producer trainers and extension agents. The program's focus on high-value vegetable production and ICT in agribusiness is expected to improve agricultural productivity and enterprise development in Liberia.