MONROVIA –The Ministry of Agriculture, through its Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with eight higher learning institutions, marking a significant step toward strengthening agricultural education, mechanization, innovation and youth participation in Liberia’s agriculture sector.
The partnership underscores the Government of Liberia’s commitment to building a new generation of agricultural professionals equipped with practical skills, modern technology, and entrepreneurial capacity to drive agricultural transformation and enhance national food security.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, emphasized that the future of Liberia’s agriculture sector depends on empowering young people and cultivating a strong passion for agriculture through practical training and innovation.
“The future of agriculture lies in the hands of our young people who are today being trained at our higher learning institutions,” the Minister said.
“If we cultivate in them a passion for agriculture through practical exposure, innovation, and mechanization, then we secure the future of the sector.”
Under the agreement, the Government of Liberia(GoL) will invest a minimum of US$ 114,000 in each of the eight participating institutions, providing farm tractors, power tillers, improved seeds and essential agricultural inputs to support mechanized farming and hands-on training.
The initiative aims to bridge the long-standing gap between classroom learning and practical agricultural application by ensuring students gain real-world experience alongside theoretical instruction.
Minister Nuetah stressed that mechanization remains critical to modernizing the sector and attracting young people to agriculture.
“There is no way to build a younger agriculture sector without mechanization,” he noted.
“Students must be able to practice what they learn. When agriculture becomes practical and productive, young people begin to see it as a viable business opportunity.”
The initiative, conceived by MInister Nuetah, promotes agribusiness development by equipping students with practical and entrepreneurial skills to establish farms and create employment opportunities.
Each participating institution is expected to develop and sustain at least ten hectares of agricultural production, generating income to support operations and equipment maintenance.
The program will also establish and strengthen demonstration farms to ensure students gain hands-on experience in modern, mechanized farming systems.
“The government is providing the initial investment, but sustainability will depend on the institutions themselves. We expect to return and see expanded farms, increased productivity, and students actively engaged in agribusiness.”
The collaboration also includes international research and innovation partners, such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), to enable technology transfer, scientific exchange, and the introduction of improved agricultural practices that will benefit both students and farmers across Liberia.
The participating institutions include African Methodist Episcopal University, Grand Bassa University, Stella Maris Polytechnic University, Bomi Community College, Lofa County University, Bong County University, Nimba University and Cuttington University.
Representatives of the participating institutions welcomed the initiative, noting that many already have land allocated for agricultural activities and describing the partnership as a major boost to agricultural training.
They pledged to use the equipment and inputs for their intended purpose and to ensure the program’s sustainability.
The signing represents a significant milestone in repositioning agriculture as a modern, technology-driven, and youth-led sector capable of delivering inclusive growth and sustainable development for Liberia.
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