MONROVIA, The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Country Representative to Liberia, Madam Pascaline Barankeba, has disclosed that Liberia has a talented youthful population, vibrant markets and enormous agriculture development potential.
She said, with these, not only can Liberia feed itself, it can also help feed the sub-region. But, reaching this potential means transforming food systems.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Country Representative to Liberia made the statement on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at the Ministerial Complex at the official launch of the National Agriculture Development Plan 2024-2030 held at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town on Wednesday July 10, 2024.
“IFAD is delighted that the National Agricultural Development Plan comes at a time when the country is developing its National Development Plan, and the synergies between these 3 strategic documents (ARREST, NADP and NDP) are crucial to boost the inclusive agro-food systems, rural development, economic growth and enhance the living conditions of rural communities,” she noted.
According to her, together, by strategically linking investments in agriculture development, Liberia can create opportunities for agricultural value addition to drive economic development at the national level.
She used the occasion to express appreciation for the long and strong partnership between the Government of Liberia and IFAD, a Specialized UN Agency and an International Financial Institution.
She told the gathering that, IFAD is committed to continue this strategic and operational cooperation through their ongoing investment of about US$145 million implemented in four projects that mainly support key NADP values chains: Cocoa in Nimba, Lofa and soon in Bong; the Rice, Vegetables, oil Palm in all counties, in close collaboration with the World Bank (WB).
“In addition, some piloting investments are ongoing in poultry and fisheries in Bong, Lofa and Nimba counties,” she said.
She indicated that, IFAD will continue to support the country in rural roads rehabilitation.
“We will strengthen climate smart agriculture and value chains approaches, small mechanization and irrigation systems, capacity building, skill and technology transfer to small farmers, bringing innovation and technologies and considering agriculture as a business,” she noted.
She emphasized that IFAD is especially proud that some key results are observed in the country and will continue to significantly contribute to achieve the NADP goals.
Madam Barankeba named the establishment of the Liberia Agriculture Commercialization Fund (LACF) through which matching grants are provided especially to smallholder farmers, and SMEs.
She added that, to date, over 24,000 beneficiaries have been supported with over 320 grants awarded for agriculture and community development.
“More than 16 cooperatives in rice and horticulture value chains; about 60 SMEs in rice, palm oil and vegetable value chains; and some Rural Financial 3 Page 3 Institutions (RFIs) with landing windows for smallholders have been supported,” she added.
Madam Barankeba noted the establishment of Liberia National Cocoa Seed Garden managed by (Central Agriculture CARI to provide improved quality planting material to all small farmers in the country for the coming years will increase local cocoa production and reduce importation of the seeds from neighboring countries.
She said already, over 9,600 ha of the cocoa farms have been rehabilitated while an additional eight thousand (8,000) ha are being supported.
For the rice production, she disclosed that IFAD projects has identified about one hundred thirty-five (135) of a total three hundred (300) hectares targeted for in-land valley swamp development in support of rice production.
“Moreover, rural roads are essential for supporting agriculture production and marketing for small farmers. I am pleased that IFAD also supports farm-to-market roads rehabilitation,” she added.
She pointed out that, under current projects, IFAD has supported the rehabilitation of some 205 Km of these roads in Nimba and Lofa counties, and plans to rehabilitate additional 211 km more in these counties and Bong.
She also said IFAD is especially happy to mutualize it’s investment with other partners as WB, EU, and others on different value chains and strategies development including the National Postharvest Lost Management Strategy jointly supported by WFP, FAO and IFAD which is a strong catalyst to achieving the goals of the new National Agriculture Development Plan.
“Further, IFAD support to the NADP is being mobilized towards the development of Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan (2024 – 2030) as requested by the MOA” she said.
“I also commend IFAD’s work at the Country level in co-leading an Agriculture Donor working Group that helps donors to coordinate and complement each other to support national priorities,” she stressed.
At the global level, IFAD is committed to working with African governments by allocating 100% of members states’ contributions to low-income and lower-middle-income countries, with over 50 percent of its project financing goes to Africa.
She noted that, in line with this focus and based on the national plans, IFAD is committed to working with the Government of Liberia and other stakeholders to elaborate a new Country Strategic Opportunity Programme (COSOP), as well as to design a new program with IFAD 13 resources, which should catalyze other co-financing around a strategically selected value chains.
She said the success and sustainability of this plan and its future strategies will depend, among other things, on a prioritization of the NADP selected value chains, a strong Private sector and local communities’ engagement.
She further said it will have an increasing of the national budget in agriculture sector when possible, innovation and technologies, investment return and value for money, and synergies with other sectors as energy, environment, and public works considering the multi-sectorality of agriculture development.
“I am confident that, all together, and as the President has always said, when “Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia” become our reality in practice, we shall overcome the development challenges faced by the country, and together make Liberia thrive,” she noted .
