The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), through the EU-funded Seeds4Liberia initiative, has refurbished and commissioned a Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) screenhouse at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) in Suakoko, Bong County. The facility is designed for cassava propagation in Liberia. AfricaRice, the lead of the project, officially opened the facility, while IITA’s technical team guided the tour of the facility.
In Liberia, cassava is the second staple food, after rice. About 60% of the country’s farming households cultivate the crop, using its tubers and vegetable leaves as essential components of their daily diet. Additionally, cassava has enormous industrial potential, which is already considered to alleviate poverty by creating employment and income streams.
Yet, despite its importance, the cassava sector faces several challenges, such as weak propagation methods and planting materials. Farmers often use stem cuttings from previous harvests for propagation, but this method is susceptible to pests and disease attacks, therefore limiting field yield and affecting farmers’ income.
However, the EU-funded Seeds4Liberia initiative is building a resilient seed system through activities aimed at producing high-quality cassava planting materials. The new SAH screenhouse is designed to accelerate access to high-quality planting materials across Liberia, which in turn increases farmers’ productivity and stimulates job creation along the cassava value chain.
Additionally, farmers, private seed enterprises, and government agencies are receiving capacity-building training to ensure the sustainable development of Liberia’s cassava sector.
During the commissioning event, Ms. Naomi Alabi, IITA’s SAH Research Supervisor, highlighted the broader impact of the SAH technology. “SAH stands as a testament to human ingenuity and our shared commitment to agricultural innovation,” she stated. “This process is more than technical; it has real social and economic impact. It has helped reduce poverty by creating employment opportunities and increasing income for farmers and seed producers alike. We look forward to witnessing a fully transformed cassava sector powered by SAH technology in Liberia.”
Key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), and the Seeds Development and Certification Agency (SDCA), along with students from tertiary institutions attended the facility’s commissioning. The event concluded with a shared commitment to expanding the use of SAH technology and ensuring its adoption across Liberia.
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 promises to deliver significant quantities of certified seeds and fingerlings throughout its lifespan, while supporting national priorities for agricultural transformation and rural development. 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
