Published: December 5, 2024
Monrovia – The Liberian government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a €5 million (approximately US$5.3 million) grant agreement to implement the Scaling-Up Agroecology Approaches in Liberia Project.
The funding, provided by the European Union, aims to bolster Liberia’s agricultural sector by promoting sustainable practices that increase the resilience of smallholder farmers. According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the initiative is part of the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P), a joint effort co-financed by IFAD and the World Bank.
The ministry highlighted that the grant will complement the US$28 million already allocated by IFAD for the four-year project, set to begin in 2025. The project’s primary goal is to improve food security, strengthen rural livelihoods, and enhance resilience to climate change by advancing agroecological practices. It will emphasize increased horticultural production, soil fertility enhancement, sustainable water management, irrigation technologies, and innovative farmer collaboration models.
At the signing ceremony, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan represented Liberia, while IFAD Country Representative Pascaline Barankeba signed on behalf of the organization.
Minister Ngafuan lauded the agreement as a significant step toward advancing Liberia’s agricultural transformation. “This signing is not just a piece of paper, but a tangible demonstration of how our international partners are investing in the future of Liberia,” he said. “It reinforces our shared vision for a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector and aligns directly with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP).”
He expressed gratitude to the European Union for its contribution, emphasizing the grant’s potential to improve food security, build resilience to climate change, and create income-generating opportunities for farmers. “This project will help Liberian farmers cope with the vulnerabilities of climate change and strengthen the agricultural value chain,” he added.
IFAD Country Representative Barankeba echoed these sentiments, expressing satisfaction with the partnership. She highlighted how the initiative aligns with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda and NADP, reiterating IFAD’s commitment to supporting the country’s agricultural goals.
Madam Barankeba also revealed that IFAD will announce Liberia’s allocation under IFAD 13 early next year, which could lead to increased investment or new initiatives to deepen cooperation.
The signing ceremony was attended by Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah, Deputy Finance Ministers Anthony G. Myers and Tanneh G. Brunson, Acting Deputy Minister for Administration Paul T. Lamin, and other dignitaries.
The project’s launch underscores Liberia’s focus on revolutionizing its agricultural sector, ensuring sustainable practices, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
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