In Liberia, agriculture is a paramount component of national development, contributing 38.8% to the country’s GDP. Additionally, the sector is a major employer in the country, accounting for 70% of the country’s population. Despite such a feat, the sector faces numerous issues, including the extension delivery services. According to an assessment under the EU-funded DeSIRA Integrated Rice-Fish Farming System Project (DeSIRA-IRFFS), the ratio of farmers to extension officers in Liberia is high, exceeding the recommended ratio of 1:600.
It further revealed 35,000 farmers to one extension officer in the country. Moreover, the “skills and knowledge gap” among extension officers has been identified as paramount to the sector’s development. Limited understanding of modern practices, weak understanding of innovation system, and low technical specialization are a few issues identified.
In response, the EU-funded Seeds4Liberia project is rolling out carefully crafted capacity enhancement activities in Liberia to reduce the gap. Recently, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) organized a week-long soybean training workshop for extension workers at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) in Suakoko, Bong County.
The event marked a significant step in enhancing their capacity to support farmers in adopting improved soybean production techniques. The workshop focused on modern agronomic practices, pest and disease management, and post-harvest handling to improve yields and quality. Participants were equipped with practical tools and knowledge to disseminate innovative methods, fostering greater productivity and sustainability within Liberia’s soybean value chain.
Launched late in 2024, the project aims to enhance the value chains of rice, cassava, coffee, soybeans, and fish by addressing challenges like human capacity development and lack of certified seed varieties. It focuses on strengthening farmers’ capacities, private seed enterprises, and government agencies, supporting targets set by several national frameworks such as the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), National Cassava Sector Strategy (NCSS), and the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (2025–2029) launched by President Joseph Boakai.
The project aims to cultivate approximately 4200 hectares, producing rice, cassava, soybeans, coffee, and fish seeds. It promises to deliver significant quantities of certified seeds and fingerlings throughout its lifespan
