Monrovia- The European Union (EU) has contributed over US$2million in support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) efforts to enhance the capacity of the Government of Liberia (GoL) in linking research and extension services to farmers for sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition. 

The EU funds will be used to strengthen integrated approaches towards more productive and sustainable agriculture. It will also promote inclusive sustainable growth, income diversification, decent employment, access to social protection and empowering national and rural institutions. The project will empower women and men in agriculture as well as building farmers’ capacities to access and develop local markets across the fifteen (15) counties of Liberia.

Agriculture key to achieving  food and nutrition security

Addressing food sector actors at the signing of the project between the government of Liberia and FAO, Madam Mariatou Njie FAO Representative in Liberia said, “Agriculture occupies a strategic position in the economic development of Liberia and key contributor to meeting the country’s food security.”

Madam Njie pointed out that, despite the tremendous potential for investment, especially in agro-industries; product development; production of exotic commodities for very high value market, “The agriculture sector faces low productivity, which limits the capacity of domestic food supply to meet the needs of population. Production levels of rice and cassava, the staple food crops are insufficient to feed the bulk of the population.”

She furthered that to achieve a high standard of agriculture production, there is a need for strong research and extension system. “The infrastructure for research and extension need to be strengthened and reorganized so that more relevant and appropriate research can be conducted to solve farmers’ problems and increase agricultural production and productivity”.

FAO Head of Mission in Liberia said, “The project will reinforce the organizational and managerial capacity of both research and extension in Liberia, enforce and define the new roles of the public extension and research and strengthen their related capacities towards coordination of multiple agriculture actors.”

Timely intervention for Liberia 

Ernest J. Clarke, Assistant Minister for Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, described the support as “Timely” noting that the extension service in Liberia is key to increasing food production in the country. “I would like to extend profound gratitude to FAO Representation in Liberia for the fruitful partnership over the past years, this is a clear manifestation of the long history of collaboration.”

Minister Clarke expressed enthusiasm to the EU for the continued support to the agriculture sector of Liberia. “I am extremely grateful for such a timely investment in enhancing our extension services for effective deliver.”

He added that the MoA has experienced poor extension services over the past years and with the intervention of the EU through FAO, it is a milestone for agricultural production in the country. “There is no way that we can increase food production in Liberia, if emphasis is not placed on extension and research. We are excited that your focus was directed on improving the extension service in Liberia.

Theodorus KASPERS, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Liberia admonished the MoA to timeously and efficiently use the available resources to achieve greater results. He added that: “With the many challenges facing the agriculture sector such as limited production, availability of food supply, access to food, climate, water and sanitation, we believe that building an effective and efficient agriculture extension will address some of the challenges.”

Mr. KASPERS assured the government and people of Liberia of EU’s continued commitment in supporting the development of sustainable agriculture.

James Sulonkwiley Dolo, PhD Head of Crop Program, Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) pointed out that agriculture is a key priority to the economic growth of Liberia. “Support to this sector has been very low making it difficult to deliver on its mandate and responsibilities. With such a huge support from the EU, we can assure that there will be a better result.”

Dr. Sulonkwiley pledged CARI’s unflinching support to the full implementation of the EU three-year initiative intended to strengthen research and extension.

Next Steps

With the official signing between the government and FAO, the project implementation team comprising focal points from the MoA, CARI and FAO is coordinating the planning of an inception workshop and official project launch. These activities will be implemented simultaneously with the process of capacity and skills acquisition which is already underway.