Monrovia, Liberia – In a significant move to address Liberia’s food insecurity challenges, OMNIA-Liberia has officially partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture to launch a groundbreaking feasibility study aimed at developing sustainable lowland agriculture and irrigation systems. This collaborative initiative is set to focus on enhancing rice production in key areas across Montserrado, Bomi, and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
William Lloyd, Executive Director of OMNIA-Liberia and National Coordinator of the Interfaith Peacemaker (IP) Teams, leads this effort, emphasizing the urgency of transforming Liberia’s agricultural landscape. In a statement, Lloyd highlighted the potential of Liberia’s lowlands, noting that “the fertile lowland areas of our country are an untapped resource that could play a pivotal role in strengthening food security and boosting economic empowerment for rural communities.”
Strategic Areas of Focus
The partnership’s first step will involve a two-day site visit to the selected lowland regions in Browerville City (Montserrado County), Klay (Bomi County), and Gohn and Bamballa (Grand Cape Mount County). The study will assess various factors, including road accessibility, soil quality, and water resources, as well as the potential for expanding rice cultivation to over 42 hectares.
“Our goal is not just to increase rice production but to do so sustainably,” Lloyd remarked. “By incorporating modern irrigation techniques and empowering local farmers, particularly our Interfaith Peacemaker Teams, we aim to ensure that agricultural development is both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.”
The feasibility study will serve as the foundation for a more comprehensive project aimed at creating sustainable irrigation systems across the identified counties. These systems will be critical in reducing Liberia’s reliance on imported rice and lowering the cost of a 25kg bag of rice, one of the country’s staple foods.
A Holistic Approach to Agriculture and Peacebuilding
OMNIA-Liberia’s approach goes beyond agriculture, integrating peacebuilding efforts within rural communities. The IP Teams, known for their interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution work, are at the heart of the initiative. “We are bringing people together—across faiths and communities—to not only grow food but also to build peace,” said Lloyd.
Through this program, farmers from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds will collaborate to cultivate the land, fostering unity and social cohesion. This peacebuilding component is a key aspect of OMNIA-Liberia’s mission to use agriculture as a vehicle for strengthening community ties and improving livelihoods.
Ministry of Agriculture Partnership
The Ministry of Agriculture has welcomed the partnership, with officials praising the initiative for its focus on lowland development and irrigation. A ministry representative stated, “This partnership is a timely and crucial step toward achieving food security in Liberia. By leveraging both modern agricultural practices and community-based peacebuilding, we are setting the stage for long-term sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.”
The Ministry is expected to use the data generated from the feasibility study to develop a full report, which will support OMNIA-Liberia’s funding proposal for the final phase of the project.
Investing in the Future
The feasibility study will analyze a wide range of factors, from land ownership and investment costs to the environmental sustainability of the proposed irrigation systems. The ultimate aim is to ensure that the project is both economically viable and socially impactful. If successful, the project will provide much-needed employment opportunities and contribute to reducing the cost of living for many Liberians, especially in rural areas.
“We are looking at the long-term benefits of this project,” Lloyd said. “Our hope is that this initiative will not only improve food security but also empower local communities and create a model of sustainable agriculture that can be replicated across the country.”
Next Steps
Following the initial site assessments, OMNIA-Liberia and the Ministry of Agriculture will work together to develop a full feasibility report. The findings will inform the design and implementation of the lowland irrigation systems, with an eye toward scaling the project to include additional communities in the future.
This collaboration between OMNIA-Liberia and the Ministry of Agriculture is seen as a significant step forward in tackling some of the country’s most pressing challenges. As the feasibility study gets underway, both partners remain optimistic about the project’s potential to reshape Liberia’s agricultural sector and bring about lasting change.
About OMNIA-Liberia
The OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership trains religious and civil society leaders — clergy and lay, women, men and young people — to form Interfaith Peacemaker (IP) Teams. It trains them to collaborate across identities, build power, and act only on urgent, relevant, and winnable issues that arise from the ground in their communities, ensuring consistent victories.
OMNIA-Liberia has trained over 200 peacemakers and formed them into 39 IP Teams in 3 counties: Bomi, Montserrado, and Grand Cape Mount. OMNIA-Liberia is also part of a global network of 6,500 peacemakers in 8 countries: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Togo, and Uganda.
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