By: Andrew B Weah
0770637216/0886429103
andrewbweah@gmail.com
Monrovia, Liberia: The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Agriculture Liberia in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, has launched a 10-day Implementation Support Mission (ISM) aimed at accelerating agricultural transformation and boosting food security across the country.
The mission focuses on two flagship initiatives—the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) and the Investing in Livelihood Resilience and Soil Health in ACP Countries (ILSA)—both designed to improve rural livelihoods and strengthen Liberia’s agricultural sector.
Speaking on behalf of Agriculture Minister J. Alexander Nuetah, Deputy Minister for Planning and Development, David K. Akoi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable agricultural growth.
“The STAR Project represents a cornerstone of our national strategy to achieve food security, create jobs, and improve rural livelihoods,” Akoi stated.
The ISM brings together a joint team of IFAD experts, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), and key stakeholders, including the Ministries of Finance, Public Works, and Commerce. The team will conduct field assessments and technical reviews across the country.
The mission aims to strengthen project implementation, identify bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and ensure that the benefits of these initiatives reach farmers and rural communities nationwide.
Currently active in all 15 counties, the STAR-P initiative continues to deliver tangible results through lowland rice development, feeder road rehabilitation, and farmer support programs involving training and improved agricultural technologies.
Meanwhile, the ILSA Project is promoting sustainable farming practices, enhancing soil health, supporting agro-enterprises, and strengthening research institutions to build resilience within Liberia’s agricultural sector.
Pascaline Barankeba, Country Director of IFAD, underscored the significance of the initiatives:
“STAR-P and ILSA are instruments of change in Liberia… designed to empower farmers and build resilience.”
Strengthening National Food Security Framework
In a related development, the Government of Liberia has also taken a significant step toward addressing food insecurity with the joint launch of the Global Hunger Index (GHI), the Comprehensive Food Security and Nutritional Security Survey Report 2025 (CFSNS), and the National Food and Nutrition Crisis Preparedness Plan (CPP).
The launch highlights Liberia’s commitment to evidence-based planning and coordinated response mechanisms to tackle food and nutrition challenges.
The 2025 CFSNS report provides the latest nationwide data on food security, nutrition, and public health conditions, offering critical insights into livelihood challenges and helping guide targeted interventions for vulnerable populations.
The Crisis Preparedness Plan builds on these findings by establishing a coordinated framework for early warning, risk monitoring, and timely response to food security threats. It also enhances collaboration among government institutions, development partners, and county authorities.
Officials say the combined launch of these key instruments demonstrates the government’s resolve to strengthen resilience, improve coordination, and ensure no Liberian is left behind in the fight against hunger.
The Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to translating these findings into concrete actions and ensuring the full implementation of strategies that will secure food, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods for all.
As Liberia advances these initiatives, stakeholders remain optimistic that the country is on a steady path toward inclusive growth, stronger rural communities, and a food-secure future.
