Something strong is establishing itself in the center of Voinjama Lofa, where the verdant plains of Lofa extend indefinitely towards the horizon. At Lofa County University, this is more than simply rice; it’s a sense of purpose and independence.
In a tangible demonstration of the university’s mission to connect knowledge with national development and education with productivity, Lofa County University President and CEO Dr. Isaac P. Podah led a passionate team of administrators, faculty, staff, and students in harvesting 3.5 hectares of lowland rice on the morning of Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
“This is not just a rice harvest, it’s a harvest of hope and a testament to our determination to make education practical and relevant to Liberia’s development agenda”, Dr. Podah said.
Agriculture’s Comeback from Dormancy
Dr. Podah claims that when he took over as president of LCU, the university’s agriculture department was struggling for direction, the fields were vacant, and farming had lost its appeal.
In light of the Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), President Joseph Boakai’s development plan, and the chance to connect with the president’s vision, he stated that he believed it was critical to make agriculture the focal point of his administration’s five-year strategy plan.
“No nation can develop without agriculture, and no public institution thrives by depending solely on government allotment and if we’re to grow, we must go back to the soil.
Learning by Doing: The Farm as Living Laboratory
The farm at Lofa County University is now a living laboratory in addition to a source of food. Students studying agriculture-related fields have practical experience in post-harvest management, irrigation planting, and land preparation—a type of experimental learning that is uncommon in Liberian universities.
“We have mandated that all students take an introductory agriculture course. Everyone at LCU needs to learn how to cultivate, just as you study physical education and ROTC elsewhere. Agriculture is becoming a need rather than an elective, according to Dr. Podah.
There are several uses for the 3.5 hectares of rice that will be harvested.
A chunk will go toward the university’s almost-finished cafeteria, which will offer staff and students reasonably priced meals. The remainder will support the university’s seed and farming initiatives.
Partnership for Progress
The resurgence of agriculture at the university is not an isolated endeavor. Attending the harvest, Lofa County agriculture coordinator Abas Mark Biaty hailed the project as an example of a partnership between local government and academia.
According to Biaty, Lofa County University’s efforts capture the real spirit of the country’s progress. Biaty asserts that when colleges integrate into the community’s production system, the effects extend beyond campus, changing lives and affecting households.
The fields shone as the sun started to set over the beautiful plains of Voinjama, not only with ripe rice but also with a newfound sense of pride. For many, it’s more than just food.
It is a live example of what education can accomplish when it unites the heart, head, and hand. It is about the future. The Liberian agricultural sector continues to grapple with the lack of modern equipment to cultivate large farmlands that will feed the nation.
