Published: July 17, 2025
MONROVIA, Liberia – Less than a month into his new role, Acting Director General of the Liberia Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA), Hon. Dan T. Saryee, is signaling a bold shift in Liberia’s agricultural trade sector by engaging key stakeholders and introducing reform measures aimed at increasing transparency, efficiency, and compliance.
Since taking office, Saryee has wasted no time building relationships with farmers, exporters, and private sector actors. His efforts seek to align LACRA with modern standards and elevate Liberia’s standing in the global cocoa and coffee markets.
County Tours Inform Policy Direction
As part of his outreach strategy, Hon. Saryee recently completed a three-day tour of Bong and Nimba counties, where he met with local cocoa farmers and buyers. The visits offered valuable insights into the day-to-day challenges faced by stakeholders across the value chain.
“These engagements were critical in understanding the bottlenecks on the ground,” Saryee said. “We are reforming LACRA to respond to those real issues in real time.”
New Compliance Standards and Shipping Reforms
On Tuesday, July 15, Saryee held a high-level meeting in Monrovia with representatives from Global Tracking Maritimes (GTM) and APM Terminals. The meeting was convened to introduce LACRA’s new leadership team and present a framework for improved collaboration—particularly regarding a new set of compliance standards for shipping agricultural commodities.
“We called this meeting to introduce the new team now running the entity and to seek your collaboration in making our work easy and successful,” Saryee told the participants.
He outlined several key reforms instituted by his administration, including streamlined shipping documentation, enhanced information-sharing protocols, and a push to eliminate conflicting regulations that have hindered efficiency.
Mobile App for Transparency and Traceability
One of the highlights of the meeting was the announcement of LACRA’s upcoming mobile application, designed to connect stakeholders across the value chain. The digital platform will enable real-time tracking, quality control, and transparency for cocoa and coffee exports.
“This system is a game-changer,” Saryee said. “It will build confidence among all players—farmers, exporters, regulators, and port operators—by ensuring traceability and quality compliance.”
Both GTM and APM Terminals welcomed the new direction and committed to working closely with LACRA to implement the traceability system.
Readiness Ahead of the Cocoa Season
With the cocoa season set to begin in August, Saryee said LACRA is proactively preparing to roll out the new platform and provide regular updates and training to stakeholders. The goal, he emphasized, is a smooth transition that enhances the credibility of Liberia’s cocoa and coffee on the international market.
LACRA’s Mandate and Vision
LACRA, established by law, is responsible for regulating agricultural trade in Liberia. The agency sets and enforces quality standards for cocoa, coffee, and oil palm exports, ensuring that Liberian products meet international benchmarks.
Saryee’s new vision for the agency places emphasis on technology, accountability, and stakeholder cooperation. His leadership, though in its early days, is already reshaping the narrative of Liberia’s agricultural commodity sector.
Discussion about this post