DAKAR, SENEGAL – Senegal is currently hosting over 600 delegates including African leaders, policymakers, farmers, investors, and international partners at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025, the continent’s premier event on agriculture and food security. Among the attendees is Mr. Jefferson Togbah Mansah, Executive Director of the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN), who is highlighting the transformative role of media in Liberia’s food systems.
At the forum, Mansah is working closely with Farm Radio International at the Media Booth, where he and fellow journalists are interviewing scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders. He explained that the initiative is designed to bring expert insights directly to farmers and communities across Africa through radio and other media channels.
In a live interview with Super Bongese Radio in Gbarnga on Wednesday, September 3, Mansah emphasized that journalists must be central actors in connecting farmers, policymakers, investors, and researchers.
Media as a Tool for Agricultural Extension
Mansah pointed out that Liberia suffers from a shortage of agricultural extension officers, limiting farmers’ access to timely guidance. He noted that radio and other media platforms can help fill this gap efficiently.
“One extension officer may take two weeks to reach a few hundred farmers on a motorbike, but through radio, a journalist can reach 500 farmers at the same time with crucial agricultural information,” he said.
He added that media can serve as a cost-effective extension tool by providing technical advice, market updates, and guidance on climate-smart agriculture.
Liberia’s Delegation in Dakar
According to Mansah, Liberia’s delegation is led by Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuta, who unveiled a five-year agricultural investment plan worth over US $900 million. The plan focuses on five key value chains: rice, cassava, maize, coffee, and oil palm.
Mansah described the plan as ambitious, citing targets of 50,000 hectares for rice, 20,000 hectares for cassava, expanded maize production for animal feed, renewed investment in coffee due to favorable global prices, and large-scale expansion of oil palm cultivation.
“These value chains are essential for Liberia’s food security and export potential,” he explained, noting that success requires not only mechanization and funding but also effective communication strategies to connect all stakeholders.
Key Lessons from the Forum
Mansah shared that African Union leaders are advocating for a shift from hoes and cutlasses to mechanized farming. He highlighted the strong focus on digital solutions to link farmers to markets and provide climate-related information. He also noted the importance of intra-African trade in reducing post-harvest losses and preventing food from remaining “stuck at the farm gate,” as well as discussions on climate-resilient crops and afforestation for long-term food sustainability.
Expanding LAEJN’s Impact
Reflecting on LAEJN’s work in Liberia, Mansah said the network is expanding its reach through county coordinators and partnerships with community radios. The goal is to make agricultural journalism a reliable and solution-oriented source of information for farmers.
“Agricultural communication isn’t just about reporting problems—it’s about providing solutions. To fight food insecurity, farmers need access to information that helps them adopt better practices and reach markets,” he said.
He urged policymakers, donors, and development partners to support agricultural journalism and innovative communication approaches, noting that the media can complement government and NGO efforts to help Liberia achieve food security by 2030, aligned with the National Agricultural Sector Development Plan.
Renewed Commitment
Mansah concluded by saying that his participation in the Africa Food Systems Forum has strengthened his commitment to advancing agricultural journalism. He pledged to mobilize LAEJN’s network of journalists nationwide to contribute to Liberia’s food security agenda.
“Our vision is to move beyond temporary reductions in rice imports and build a sustainable food system where smallholder farmers have the right knowledge, tools, and market access. That is the role we, as journalists, are committed to playing,” Mansah affirmed.
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