PAYNESVILLE, Liberia — Humanitarian and Chief Executive Officer of the Bedell Foundation, Bedell Dorbor, has called for increased investment in agriculture, citing limited technical capacity and a shortage of skilled personnel as major challenges affecting Liberia’s ability to produce sufficient food locally.
Speaking in an exclusive interview in Paynesville, Dorbor said Liberia needs to place greater emphasis on agricultural education and technical skills development to build the workforce required to improve domestic food production.
He said creating employment opportunities for young people through vocational and technical training remains among the Bedell Foundation’s priorities, particularly as the country seeks to equip its youth with practical skills.
“Liberia is currently lacking the technical capacity and skilled personnel needed to produce enough food locally. The situation is unpredictable and concerning,” Dorbor said.
The foundation chief executive also urged national authorities to give agriculture greater attention within the country’s educational institutions, including universities, rather than treating it as a secondary field of study.
According to Dorbor, stronger agricultural education could help Liberia address several challenges simultaneously by increasing food production, creating employment opportunities for young people, and supporting long-term economic development.
He maintained that connecting academic learning with practical agricultural and technical training would help develop a skilled workforce capable of contributing to Liberia’s food security and broader economic growth.
Dorbor’s comments highlight the need for greater coordination between education, vocational training, and agricultural development as Liberia works to strengthen local production and expand opportunities for its growing youth population.
