By Domingo Dargbeh
The Liberia Agricultural Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), has launched a capacity-building training for its Quality Control Officers and Produce Inspectors.
The training aims to restore Liberia’s agricultural sector to its pre-war status.
The workshop was organized by LACRA’s Department of Operations under the leadership of Deputy Director General Alpha Gongolee.
It focuses on strengthening the technical skills of staffs in areas such as sampling, inspection, grading and quality control standards.
Acting Director General Dan Sayee, said the institution has taken major steps to improve the quality of the country’s cocoa; moving from grade two to grade one.
“For too long, Liberia has been producing Grade Two cocoa; it is about to upgrade, and match international standards.
Sayee said LACRA is working closely with Ghana and La Côte d’Ivoire to establish a regional cocoa, coffee, and oil palm bloc that aligns with global market requirements.
The partnership, he assured, will strengthen country’s competitiveness in the agricultural commodity trade.
He said that LACRA through it partners, has developed a mobile application designed to monitor the purchase, and sale of cocoa, coffee, and palm products in every part of the country. Saryee added that the app will soon be launched, and that the staff will receive training on how to effectively use the new technology.
He explained: “For participants to remain committed to their duties, their hard work and dedication would one day make them among the best inspectors, and quality control officers.”
The two-day training, which covered key areas such as quality control standards; sampling methods; inspection techniques and product grading, is held in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
Participants included Fredrick Gibson, representing the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), one of LACRA’s key partners.
Gibson pledged UNIDO’s continued commitment to help Liberia’s cocoa and coffee sectors to meet international standards.
The initiative forms part of LACRA’s broader vision to strengthen Liberia’s agricultural commodity industry, and ensure that locally produced goods meet international quality benchmarks.