Empowering youth in agriculture: AfricaRice and EU welcome students under Seeds4Liberia internship program

Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Stella Maris Polytechnic, initiated an enriching four-month internship program under the EU-funded Seeds4Liberia project. 

Dr. Inoussa Akintayo, AfricaRice Country Representative and National Coordinator for the Seeds4Liberia project, extended a warm welcome to the interns. During their orientation, he facilitated a field tour to showcase ongoing activities under the rice component of the project. The tour not only illustrated the practical applications but also underscored the potential impact of AfricaRice's work on agricultural development in Liberia. 

Youth in agriculture face numerous challenges, including insufficient access to knowledge, information, and education. Furthermore, limited access to land, inadequate access to financial resources, and limited access to markets are all high odds against them.

However, with funding from the European Union, AfricaRice, through the Seeds4Liberia Project, aims to equip the students with valuable skills that are pivotal for fostering sustainable agricultural and seed practices in Liberia.

Throughout their internship, the students will engage in both theoretical lessons and practical fieldwork designed to deepen their understanding of advanced seed production methodologies and approaches. During the tour, the students later engaged with visiting officials from the EU Delegation to Liberia. Program Officer Maria Winnubst and Task Manager Antonio Di Clemente shared words of encouragement, reminding them to rise to the occasion as they are the future of Liberia’s agriculture sector.  

In addition, the students were introduced to Dr. Authur B. Karnuah, Director General of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI). He encouraged them to maximize the opportunity afforded to them through the internship, stressing the significance of their contributions to the future of the agriculture sector.

About the Seeds4Liberia Project

Launched late in 2024, the project aims to enhance the value chains of rice, cassava, coffee, soybeans, and fish by addressing challenges like human capacity development and lack of certified seed varieties. It focuses on strengthening farmers' capacities, private seed enterprises, and government agencies. The project aims to cultivate approximately 4,200 hectares, producing rice, cassava, soybeans, coffee, and fish seeds. It promises to deliver significant quantities of certified seeds and fingerlings throughout its lifespan.