MOA Procures 480 Tricycles To Boost Rural Farming

 By T Ezekiel Geeplay

 Through the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), the Ministry of Agriculture has procured 480 customized tricycles to aid the transportation of agriculture products in rural farming communities that are challenged with farm to market roads in Liberia.

Speaking to reporters Monday in Monrovia, the Deputy Minister for Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture, David Akoi, said the tricycles will not only facilitate the transportation of goods but also provide youth with the means to engage in agricultural activities more effectively.

He said the initiative will help ease the challenges faced by local farmers in getting their products to nearby markets due to conditions of farm to market roads in the country

"Today marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to empower young people in agriculture. By investing in our young agricultural entrepreneurs, we are investing in the future of Liberia,” Minister Akoi said.

Minister Akoi disclosed that the criteria states that a beneficiary must be a youth (18 – 35 years of age), living within the farming community or village, and must be able to ride a motorbike/tricycle.

The MOA official added that beneficiary must have a good record or reputation in the community and must have lived in said community for more than two years and must be willing to pay at least 40 percent of the purchase cost of the tricycle (either through equity or loans from financial institutions (including community banks).

Minister Akoi added that beneficiary must be willing to use the tricycle to provide transportation services in and around the locality/community and region (mainly for agriculture) and, be willing to undergo equipment management as well as business management training before taking possession of the equipment.

Minister Akoi thanked the World Bank for funding the project through RETRAP adding that the support and project is timely for local farmers in rural Liberia.