ITALY Rome- Minister of Agriculture Dr. J Alexander Nuetah, held a bilateral meeting with senior management of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration, reviewing IFAD’s contributions to Liberia’s agricultural sector, and discussing future priorities.
Opening Remarks – Mr. Donald Brown, Associate Vice President (AVP), IFAD Mr. Donald Brown expressed his appreciation for the ongoing progress in Liberia’s agricultural sector. He thanked Minister Nuetah for his leadership and emphasized that the government’s new vision provides a strong foundation for IFAD’s continued support.
He highlighted IFAD’s long-standing relationship with Liberia, evidenced by the presence of its country office in Monrovia, which reinforces the organization’s commitment. Additionally, Mr. Brown reassured that IFAD has the necessary resources to fulfill its mandate in the country.
In remarks Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, thanked IFAD for accepting the meeting and extended the greetings of H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia. He expressed gratitude for IFAD’s office in Liberia, acknowledging it as a significant milestone in their partnership.
The Minister recognized IFAD’s contributions to Liberia’s agricultural development and reiterated the government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations. He emphasized that agriculture is a priority for Liberia, particularly under President Boakai, who previously served as Minister of Agriculture.
The government is working on a National Agricultural Development Plan, which aims to enhance local food production. Given that Liberia currently imports 70% of its rice, the government is prioritizing increased rice production to enhance food security.
Furthermore, Minister Nuetah highlighted
agriculture’s critical role in poverty reduction, as the majority of Liberia’s population is engaged in the sector.
He stressed the importance of rural infrastructure in ensuring agricultural success, acknowledging IFAD’s significant contributions, including the development of over 300 km of roads.
“My recent field visits reinforced the urgent need for better infrastructure and market access to ensure that farm produce can be sold efficiently”.
The Minister also praised IFAD’s support in developing three key crops in Liberia, such as cocoa production.
He expressed interest in expanding efforts beyond cocoa to include coffee, avocado, and other high-value crops.
Additionally, he inquired about how IFAD could enhance access to nutritious food through aquaculture development. He noted that the Tree Crop Extension Program (TCEP) is set to conclude this year and requested that IFAD consider its continuation and possible expansion.
The Minister also extended special appreciation for IFAD’s active role in seed distribution for community gardening projects.
In closing, Minister Nuetah invited IFAD senior officials to visit Liberia and announced that President Boakai would extend a formal invitation to IFAD leadership.
IFAD’s Response and Future Cooperation
Mr. Donald Brown acknowledged the priorities outlined by Minister Nuetah and affirmed that they aligned well with IFAD’s strategic goals for the next 9–10 years. He mentioned that within the next three replenishment cycles, IFAD could explore opportunities for additional support.
He clarified that while IFAD cannot engage directly with small-scale farmers, it remains committed to developing infrastructure, irrigation, and water management solutions to enhance productivity. He stressed the importance of identifying priority areas together and focusing on impactful interventions rather than the scale of investments.
Regional Perspectives – Bernard Hein, Regional Director for West and Central Africa
Mr. Hein acknowledged Liberia’s progress and emphasized IFAD’s strong footprint in sectors such as cocoa and palm oil. He suggested that engaging the private sector could help bridge some of the gaps in agricultural financing, particularly in light of the new government’s economic strategies. He also encouraged a review of the national agricultural plan to align it with emerging opportunities and challenges.
Country-Level Collaboration – Pascaline Barankeba, Country Director for West and Central Africa, Ms. Barankeba expressed gratitude for Liberia’s partnership with IFAD, particularly at the presidential level. She emphasized the importance of designing a new cooperation framework and working closely with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant ministries. Given IFAD’s extensive experience in Liberia, she expressed confidence that a concept note for new projects could be developed by the end of the year.
Commitment to Continued
Mr. Brown affirmed IFAD’s commitment to visiting Liberia with senior officials in the near future. He acknowledged the strong technical expertise within Liberia’s leadership and attributed the country’s progress to the dedicated efforts of Minister Nuetah, and President Boakai.
Ms. Barankeba emphasized that this meeting allowed IFAD senior management to gain firsthand insights into Liberia’s agricultural landscape. She assured that IFAD would mobilize resources for projects discussed during the meeting.
At the same time, Ms. Barankeba confirmed that IFAD is eager to explore additional financing for TCEP-2 to expand cocoa production while also considering support for coffee and fruit cultivation. Ms. Barankeba expressed.
keen interest in developing a national seed garden for coffee production, emphasizing the importance of revitalizing Liberia coffee, a unique variety native to the region.
As part of IFAD’s 14th replenishment discussions, the organization aims to finalize a strategic roadmap for Liberia’s agricultural development, ensuring continued collaboration and impactful investments in the sector.
This meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between IFAD and Liberia, setting the stage for deeper engagement in agricultural infrastructure, value chain development, and rural transformation.
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