19/08/2026
Return PRESS RELEASE From Eastern Asia Qinghai.
Monrovia, Liberia August 19, 2026
I would like to begin by expressing my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia of the Republic of Liberia, under the leadership and support of Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah , for selecting and providing my team and me the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Qinghai Province, Xining City, China, to participate in the 1st 2026 Training Program for African Grassroots Cadres on Poverty Alleviation.
For us as young Liberian agricultural entrepreneurs, this was far more than a training program it was a life-changing experience that opened our eyes to what is possible when a nation places agriculture, innovation, rural development, human capital and poverty alleviation at the center of its national development agenda. We returned to Liberia not only with certificates, but with knowledge, inspiration, practical experiences and a renewed determination to contribute to the transformation of our beloved country.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Monrovia, the Foreign Affairs Office of Qinghai Province, and the people of Qinghai Province and Xining City for the exceptional hospitality, professionalism and warmth shown to us throughout our stay. My team and I were treated with remarkable care, including being provided meals four times a day during the program. Such hospitality made us feel welcomed and respected, and it is an experience we will remember for many years. We sincerely appreciate the continued friendship and cooperation between China and Liberia, particularly the support being extended toward Liberian youth, agriculture, development and healthcare.
A Journey of Learning Beyond the Classroom:
One of the most powerful aspects of our training was the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and witness firsthand how Qinghai Province is pursuing modernization, poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, clean energy development, agricultural innovation and improved living conditions.
Our delegation visited the Tala Breach Photovoltaic Industrial Park, where we witnessed the scale at which solar energy is being developed and integrated into economic development. The experience demonstrated that renewable energy is not only about electricity it can become a foundation for industrialization, employment, environmental protection and rural transformation.
We also visited the Qinghai Provincial Clean Energy and Green Computing Power Dispatch Center, where we gained insight into the coordination of clean energy and modern digital infrastructure. For Liberia, this provides an important lesson: our abundant sunlight, water resources and other natural assets can be transformed into productive economic resources when combined with technology, investment and proper national planning.
Our visit to Daijiazhuang Village and the Qianziyuan Agriculture Science and Technology Expo Park in Huangzhong District was particularly inspiring. We saw how modern agricultural science, technology, organized production, rural entrepreneurship and innovation can be connected to improve farmers' livelihoods and strengthen food systems.
Rural Revitalization and Poverty Alleviation:
The Chinese experience demonstrated that poverty alleviation is most sustainable when people are not simply given assistance, but are provided with opportunities to become economically productive.
Through our field visits and discussions on the experience and achievements of rural revitalization and poverty alleviation work in Qinghai Province, we observed approaches involving agricultural development, employment, infrastructure, housing, electricity, safe drinking water, healthcare coverage, education and community development.
We were particularly impressed by China's broader poverty reduction achievements.
In 2020, Qinghai Province removed 42 poverty-stricken counties from the national poverty list and withdrew 1,622 impoverished villages from the poverty list. A total of approximately 539,000 impoverished people in Qinghai were lifted out of poverty. These achievements demonstrate the scale of the province's efforts to improve the living conditions and economic opportunities of people in rural and disadvantaged communities.
At the national level in 2020, China removed 832 poverty-stricken counties from the poverty list and withdrew approximately 128,000 impoverished villages from the poverty list. Most significantly, approximately 98.99 million impoverished people were lifted out of poverty, representing one of the world's largest poverty-reduction achievements.
The presentation further highlighted China's five-year transition period following poverty alleviation. The message was clear: poverty eradication is not the finishing point, but a new starting point for building a better life. Even after communities and individuals are removed from the poverty list, policies, support, assistance and oversight continue to ensure that people do not fall back into poverty.
Rural Infrastructure and Basic Services:
Another important achievement highlighted was China's extensive investment in rural infrastructure. The presentation indicated that the country's total rural road mileage reached approximately 71,000 kilometers, significantly improving connectivity between rural communities, agricultural production areas, markets and urban centers.
The presentation also highlighted a water-supply coverage rate of 97% or above, demonstrating the importance placed on providing rural populations with access to reliable water supplies.
In the area of digital connectivity, the presentation indicated a 5G accessibility rate of 96.7% or above, showing how modern telecommunications infrastructure is being extended to support economic activity, education, agriculture, healthcare and communication, achieving its poverty-eradication target ahead of the UN 2030 Agenda timeline.
China has also made enormous investments in rural infrastructure, electricity, drinking water, housing, healthcare and employment opportunities.
These achievements should not simply be admired from a distance. They should encourage African countries, including Liberia, to examine what elements can be responsibly adapted to our own national circumstances.
Learning from Disaster Management and Community Resilience:
Our visit to the Xining Emergency Command Center gave us another important lesson in preparedness, coordination and emergency response. We also visited a post-disaster relocation community established following the August 18 mountain flash flood, where we observed how affected communities can be relocated and supported through organized planning and infrastructure.
This experience reminded us that development is not only about building roads and farms; it is also about protecting lives, preparing communities for disasters and ensuring that vulnerable people can recover with dignity.
Liberia can learn from such systems by strengthening disaster preparedness, early-warning mechanisms, emergency coordination, community relocation planning and climate-resilient agricultural infrastructure particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding and other natural disasters.
Agriculture, Food Processing and Industrial Development
Our delegation also visited Qinghai Hoh Xil Food Co., Ltd., where we gained practical knowledge about food production, processing and value addition. For a country like Liberia, which produces significant quantities of agricultural commodities but still imports many processed food products, this experience was especially meaningful.
We also visited Western Mining Co., Ltd., where we observed another dimension of industrial development and the importance of linking natural resources with modern industrial capacity, technology and employment.
The visit to Shengyuan Carpet Group Co., Ltd. further demonstrated how local resources, traditional skills, manufacturing and modern markets can be connected to create jobs and economic opportunities.
Our visit to the Xining Urban Exhibition Center provided an opportunity to observe the long-term planning and modernization of Xining City. We saw how urban development, transportation, infrastructure, environmental management and economic planning can be integrated into a broader vision for the future.
The Qinghai Lake Experience:
The visit to the Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve was equally remarkable. It demonstrated the importance of protecting natural ecosystems while pursuing economic development.
For Liberia, with its forests, rivers, wetlands, mountains, coastline and rich biodiversity, this is a powerful reminder that environmental protection and economic development should not be treated as enemies. Instead, conservation can be connected to tourism, agriculture, scientific research, employment and sustainable economic development.
What We Observed Among the Working Class:
One of the things that moved us most deeply during our stay was observing the working people of Qinghai and Xining.
From drivers and market workers to security personnel, agricultural workers, technicians, entrepreneurs and other members of the working class, we observed a strong sense of responsibility, discipline and professionalism in their daily activities.
What impressed us was not simply the infrastructure around them, but the attitude toward work. People appeared to understand that their individual responsibilities contribute to a larger national development process.
This experience challenged us as Liberians to reflect on how much progress we can achieve when professionalism, punctuality, discipline, innovation and love for one's country become part of everyday working culture.
A Message to the Government of Liberia:
As a Liberian youth agricultural entrepreneur and advocate for rural development, I strongly recommend that the Government of Liberia examine practical elements of the Chinese experience and adapt them to Liberia's unique realities.
First, agriculture must become a major engine of employment and economic transformation, particularly for young people. Liberia should move beyond encouraging people simply to farm and instead develop complete agricultural value chains from land preparation, improved seeds and mechanization to irrigation, storage, processing, packaging, transportation and markets.
Second, Liberia should establish and strengthen agricultural science and technology demonstration parks where farmers, young entrepreneurs, researchers and investors can learn and experiment with improved technologies.
Third, we should invest more aggressively in rural roads, electricity, safe drinking water, affordable housing, healthcare and schools. A farmer cannot achieve maximum productivity if the community where that farmer lives lacks basic infrastructure.
Fourth, Liberia should develop stronger rural industrialization and agro-processing programs so that our young people can earn income not only from producing crops but also from processing and adding value to them.
Fifth, the Government should strengthen clean energy development, particularly solar power, to support rural communities, agricultural processing centers, schools, clinics and small businesses.
Sixth, Liberia needs stronger disaster preparedness and climate-resilient agriculture, including flood-control systems, early-warning mechanisms, improved drainage, resilient roads and better community emergency response.
Finally, we should create more opportunities for youth-led agricultural enterprises, combining government support, private investment, technical training and access to affordable financing. Our young people should not only be beneficiaries of development they must be active owners and drivers of Liberia's economic transformation.
Appreciation to My Team and Fellow African Entrepreneurs:
I extend my sincere appreciation to my team members and all the African entrepreneurs who participated in this historic training. Your professionalism, discipline, cooperation and positive representation of Africa throughout our stay were commendable.
We came from different countries and backgrounds, but we shared one common dream: to return home better equipped to contribute to the development of Africa.
I am particularly proud that we represented Liberia with dignity, respect and professionalism. The relationships built during this program will, I believe, become part of a broader network of African young leaders committed to agriculture, poverty reduction, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
A New Responsibility After China:
Returning home from Qinghai has given me a deeper understanding that development does not happen by accident. It requires vision, planning, discipline, investment, innovation, strong institutions and people who are willing to work.
The Chinese experience has taught us that poverty can be confronted, rural communities can be transformed, agriculture can become modern and profitable, clean energy can support development, and ordinary people can become central participants in national progress.
As CEO and Founder of Liberia Feed Yourself Agriculture Initiative (LIFAI–Inc.)a humanitarian and youth agricultural activist, I return with an even stronger conviction that Liberia must feed itself, create opportunities for its young people and transform agriculture into a powerful engine for national development.
We deeply appreciate the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, the Chinese Embassy in Monrovia, the Foreign Affairs Office of Qinghai Province, our Chinese hosts, our trainers, my team and all the African entrepreneurs who made this journey meaningful.
This opportunity has changed our perspective.
We did not travel to China simply to see development. We traveled to learn how development is organized and we now return to Liberia with the responsibility to transform what we learned into action.
Our soil. Our food. Our future.
LIBERIAN DELEGATION TO QINGHAI PROVINCE, XINING CITY, CHINA
ISSUED:
1. Mr. James Kollie Galakpai ,Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder, Liberia Feed Yourself Agriculture Initiative-Inc
Humanitarian & Youth Agricultural Activist
Head of the Liberian Delegation to China.
Contacts: +231880715446/+231776080642
Email [email protected]
2. Mr. John Selma Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder, Selma Agriculture Development Cooperation
3.Madam :Marline Tokpah Jarwoe Human Resources Officer, Ministry of Local Government, B**g County
4. Mr. Abel Papalom Varney
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder, Agro Links Enterprise Inc.
Everyone Products
Office of Diaspora Affairs Republic of Liberia
Following
UNDP Liberia
Chinese Embassy in Liberia
U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Liberia Feed Yourself Agriculture Initiative-INc
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
