Monrovia – After several years of in-depth research, nationwide engagement, and policy analysis, the CERATH Development Organization (CDO) has concluded its flagship initiative, “Talking Agribusiness in Liberia,” presenting a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming the country’s agri-food sector.
Funded by the European Union (EU) through the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP), the project unearthed critical gaps, reviewed agricultural value chains, and identified untapped potential across Liberia’s farming landscape.
At a high-level virtual dissemination event, stakeholders—including senior Liberian government officials, EU diplomats, researchers, and development partners—hailed the initiative’s final outputs as both a “mirror” and a “map”: a reflection of the sector’s challenges and a blueprint for inclusive, data-driven reform.
Six Outputs, One Mission: Reimagining Liberia’s Agri-Food Future
The project focused on six thematic outputs, each addressing a key pillar of Liberia’s underperforming but vital agri-food sector.
Output One examined youth engagement in agribusiness, identifying both their promise and the structural hurdles they face. “Can youth drive Liberia’s agribusiness competitiveness?” the report asked. The answer: a cautious yes—if supportive policies, financing, and training are effectively aligned.
Output Two assessed Liberia’s preparedness for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Findings revealed slow ratification, low awareness among local agripreneurs, and a lagging integration approach that risks excluding Liberia from regional trade benefits. Though the AfCFTA has since been ratified, key steps such as deposit and implementation remain outstanding.
Output Three offered a creative lens—amplifying the voices of schoolchildren through poems, drawings, and videos. Their visions of a sustainable, fair, and nutritious food system underscored that the future of agriculture belongs not only to farmers and policymakers but also to the next generation.
Output Four focused on agricultural mechanization, particularly in the rice sector. Using case studies from Lofa and Nimba counties, the report concluded that access to equipment alone is insufficient. A functional business model—featuring trained service providers, technical capacity, and enabling policies—is needed to make mechanization sustainable and profitable.
Output Five reviewed 71 agri-projects implemented between 2018 and 2024. It revealed that staple crops such as rice, cassava, and vegetables were the most frequently targeted, followed by fisheries and cash crops. However, livestock remained severely underfunded, with only three projects dedicated to it during the six-year period.
Output Six, the final component, assessed how well these projects aligned with Liberia’s National Agricultural Development Plan (2024–2030), the ARREST Agenda, and other frameworks. While some progress was noted, the report found persistent fragmentation, overlapping priorities, and weak monitoring mechanisms undermining impact.
Calls for Action and Reflection
Speaking at the event, David Akoi, Deputy Minister for Planning and Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, welcomed the findings and emphasized the need for data-informed decisions.
“This is the kind of data we need to make informed decisions,” he said. “When you talk about the agri-food system, it’s holistic—from production to processing to the market. We want a copy of this report to dive deeper and pinpoint where attention is urgently needed.”
CDO’s Country Director, Leroy N.S. Kanmoh, described the project’s conclusion not as an end, but as “the end of a deliberate journey.”
“This body of work was designed to inform, provoke, and spark action,” Kanmoh said. “Each output reflects the reality on the ground and offers recommendations that must guide future investments.”
From the EU’s perspective, the project serves as a strategic entry point for future engagements in Liberia’s agricultural sector.
Dimitri de Pues, Diplomatic Attaché for Private Sector Development, Finance and Trade at the EU Delegation in Liberia, praised the final six-part study—particularly its retrospective on past agri-projects.
“This report will be shared with our implementing team to ensure that in the inception phase of new programs, we take good stock of what has been done—and more importantly, what has not,” he emphasized.
A Sector at a Crossroads: The Margibi Coffee Mystery
The project also raised pressing questions—such as why no coffee-related projects were implemented in Margibi County, despite its reputation as one of Liberia’s prime coffee-growing regions.
“Is everything okay in Margibi’s coffee sector? Or are there hidden challenges that need addressing?” the team asked. The question remains unanswered, but the gap highlights the need for better spatial targeting in future agricultural interventions.
The Funding Landscape: Heavily Reliant on Grants
Another key finding was Liberia’s overwhelming dependence on donor grants. Of the 71 projects reviewed, over 83% were entirely funded through grants, with just 3% utilizing loan financing. Major contributors included the EU, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), USAID, the World Bank, IFAD, and the African Development Bank.
Madam Seth Owusu-Ansah, Lead for the Talking Agribusiness Project, urged policymakers not to shelve the findings.
“The information is here. What’s left is for decision-makers to absorb it and act. We cannot let this evidence sit on a shelf,” she said.
With over 75% of Liberians relying on agriculture for their livelihoods—and the sector contributing a third of the nation’s GDP—the stakes are undeniably high.
The Talking Agribusiness Project may have formally concluded, but the national conversation it sparked is only just beginning.
