IPNEWS: In a significant boost to Liberia’s agricultural development agenda, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., on Thursday met with the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu, at the Executive Mansion for high-level discussions centered on modernizing Liberia’s food systems and strengthening long-term cooperation.
The delegation, one of the highest-profile FAO missions to Liberia in recent years included senior officials such as Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi, FAO Chief Economist Dr. Maximo Torero, Assistant Director-General Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel, and technical experts Yang Hau, Lineo Molise, and Hong Shen.
Liberia’s Agricultural Potential at Center Stage
President Boakai reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a major engine of economic growth.
With over 60% of Liberia’s population engaged in agriculture, and the sector contributing approximately 26% to national GDP, the President underscored that the country is “ready to harvest what has been planted over the years,” referring to long-standing efforts aimed at improving productivity.
Liberia possesses over 4.6 million hectares of arable land, yet less than 10% is currently cultivated, according to FAO and World Bank estimates highlighting the vast potential for expansion.
Boakai outlined his priorities:
Commercialization of agriculture
Strengthening food security
Improving rural livelihoods
Expanding value-added processing for export markets
FAO Reaffirms Support for National Priorities
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu praised the government’s renewed commitment and emphasized the strategic importance of Liberia’s agricultural resources, notably the globally unique Liberica (Excelsa) coffee variety.
Though currently under-exploited, Liberica coffee represents an estimated US$200–250 million annual export potential if processing, branding, and market linkages are fully developed.
Mr. Qu outlined FAO’s readiness to scale up support in key areas including:
Seed development and quality control systems
Climate-smart agriculture to improve resilience amid climate shocks
Youth employment through agri-entrepreneurship support
Strengthening food value chains, especially rice, cassava, cocoa, and coffee
Improving market access for Liberian agricultural commodities
China-Liberia Cooperation Highlighted
The FAO Director-General also pointed to opportunities for collaboration with the China Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), one of the world’s leading institutions in tropical crop innovation.
Potential support areas include:
Advanced agricultural research
Soil fertility and tropical crop improvement
Technology transfer for high-yield seeds
Farmer training and innovation hubs
Such partnerships could significantly boost yields; for example, CATAS-assisted tropical nations have recorded 20–40% increases in rice productivity and major gains in cocoa and oil palm output.
FAO Delegation Impressed With Progress
The Director-General, speaking on behalf of the delegation, expressed satisfaction with Liberia’s strategic direction.
He commended ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening governance, improving coordination across the agriculture sector, and mobilizing investment.
He reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan, which seeks to reduce the nation’s over US$250 million annual food import bill, particularly for rice, the country’s staple food.
A Partnership for National Prosperity
President Boakai thanked the FAO leadership for its longstanding partnership and reiterated his government’s resolve to prioritize agriculture as a driver of national prosperity.
He assured the delegation that Liberia is ready to deepen cooperation with FAO, regional institutions, and bilateral partners to unlock the full potential of the sector.
“Liberia is blessed with fertile land, abundant rainfall, natural resources, and talented young people,” President Boakai stated. “With sustained collaboration, we can build a productive, modern, and resilient agricultural system.”
EDITOR’S NOTE
Liberia stands at a pivotal moment in its pursuit of agricultural renewal, with this week’s meeting between President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. and FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu marking one of the most consequential engagements for the sector in over a decade.
As global food systems face rising pressures from climate change, market volatility, and supply chain disruptions, Liberia’s efforts to modernize its agricultural landscape have taken on even greater urgency.
The dialogue between the Government of Liberia and the FAO underscores a broader regional and global shift toward climate-resilient farming, youth-centered agri-entrepreneurship, and value-added production.
As international agencies increasingly prioritize food security and sustainable systems, Liberia’s vast untapped agricultural potential more than 4.6 million hectares of arable land and unique export commodities like Liberica coffee places the country in a strategic position for growth.
This article highlights the renewed commitment by both the Government and FAO to deepen cooperation, accelerate reforms, and unlock new opportunities across the agriculture value chain.
It also emphasizes the importance of partnerships such as those with CATAS and other global research institutions in ensuring that Liberia transitions from subsistence farming to a modern, competitive, and technology-driven agricultural economy.
The Editor encourages readers, policymakers, and development partners to view this high-level engagement not merely as a diplomatic event but as a crucial step in reshaping Liberia’s economic future.
Agriculture remains the country’s largest employer and a critical pillar for national stability and prosperity. Strengthening this sector is not an option, it is an imperative.
