VP Koung and Minister Nuetah to Represent Liberia at CAADP Summit

Monrovia Liberia: Vice President Jeremiah Kpang Koung and Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah are set to travel to Kampala, Uganda, this week to attend the Kampala Declaration and Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) meeting.

The extraordinary summit, which runs from January 9-11, will bring together African Heads of State, ministers of agriculture, private sector actors, civil society members, and other stakeholders. Organized by the African Union Commission’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) and the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD), the meeting will focus on transforming Africa’s agrifood systems for sustainable economic growth.

Key Agenda

The summit will deliberate on the post-Malabo CAADP agenda, including the draft 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035) and the Kampala Declaration on Advancing Africa’s Inclusive Agrifood System Transformation. Delegates are expected to endorse the Kampala Declaration and the CAADP Strategy, which outline a roadmap for achieving inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth across the continent.

The CAADP framework, launched in 2003, aims to improve food security, nutrition, rural livelihoods, and economic development while protecting the environment. Member states are urged to allocate at least 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture and aim for a 6 percent annual growth rate in the sector.

Liberia’s Agricultural Challenges

Liberia became a signatory to the CAADP framework in 2003 during the Maputo Declaration but has yet to meet the 10 percent budget allocation target for agriculture. Despite promises by successive administrations to prioritize agriculture, the sector remains heavily dependent on external funding. Challenges such as limited investment, infrastructure gaps, and inadequate policy implementation continue to hinder progress.

To address these issues, the Liberian government has developed a five-year plan aimed at mobilizing resources and transforming the sector into a driver of economic growth. The participation of Vice President Koung and Minister Nuetah at the Kampala summit underscores Liberia’s commitment to advancing agricultural development as part of the broader African agenda.

 The summit will serve as a platform to align Liberia’s national priorities with continental goals, fostering partnerships and investments critical to overcoming the country’s agricultural challenges.