Liberia Seeks Expanded Agricultural Investment as IFAD Partnership Delivers Results for Rural Farmers
Moses Papaye Gibson
Monrovia, Liberia: Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has reaffirmed the Government of Liberia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) following engagements held during the 49th Session of IFAD’s Governing Council in Rome, Italy.
The Governing Council, IFAD’s highest decision-making body, comprising 180 Member States, met from February 10–11, 2026, and focused on strengthening agricultural investments and improving support for farmers across developing countries. Ahead of the main session, Minister Nuetah also participated in bilateral meetings and engagements with IFAD leadership and senior management.
This year’s discussions were held under the theme “From Farm to Market: Investing with Young Entrepreneurs,” with emphasis on strengthening agricultural value chains, supporting youth participation in agriculture, and expanding market opportunities for farmers. The meeting also marked the start of consultations for IFAD’s next financing cycle, IFAD 14, which will guide future agricultural investments.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Nuetah discussed with IFAD Regional Director for Central and West Africa, Mr. Bernard Mwinyel Hien, the progress of ongoing IFAD-supported projects in Liberia and opportunities to expand support for farmers nationwide.
Projects such as the Tree Crops Extension Programme (TCEP I and II) and the Building Climate Resilience Project (BCRP) continue to improve production, develop rural infrastructure, and increase farmers’ access to markets. A major achievement highlighted was the establishment of the National Cocoa Seed Garden in Nimba County, which continues to support Liberia’s cocoa sector's growth.
With some projects expected to close in early 2027, discussions focused on securing additional financing to sustain progress. The Minister outlined plans to expand TCEP II to include Liberia’s indigenous Liberica coffee and to establish a Liberica coffee seed garden to support farmers and increase production nationwide.
The meeting also discussed the proposed development of a livestock program, particularly for southeastern Liberia, and the expansion of the STAR Project, which currently supports cassava and rice production and rural infrastructure development in several counties.
Further discussions covered market opportunities for Liberian cocoa, including continued exports to Europe and efforts to expand access to new markets. Ongoing initiatives to improve farmer training, traceability, and certification will help farmers access higher-value markets and increase their incomes.
Speaking following the engagement, Dr. Nuetah emphasized that Liberia’s partnership with IFAD remains critical to achieving national goals of food self-sufficiency, rural transformation, and inclusive economic growth.
IFAD leadership has also expressed interest in visiting Liberia later this year to observe ongoing projects and engage with farmers benefiting from the partnership, including a planned visit to the National Cocoa Seed Garden in Nimba County.
