CARI Makes Steady Gains By Yassah J Wright

Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), near Gbarnga, in Bong County, is reportedly making a steady progress. Papa Morris, the director of communications said the institution is steadily returning to its pre-war status as a leading agricultural research center in West Africa.

Morris said, under the leadership of CARI’s director general, Dr. Arthur Bob Karnuah, the entity is reviving programs that once made it one of the region’s most dependable research institutions.

Up-to-date, he said, the livestock unit is being wired as part of the administration’s efforts to augment animal research across the country.

“In other areas,” according to Morris, “the institution has purchased hybrid pigs, goats, chickens, and sheep for laboratory and field research purposes.”

Recently, he said, CARI produced 10,000 seedlings of Liberica coffee, with the goal of producing over 30,000 seedlings to be distributed among farmers nationwide to improve coffee production.

In addition, CARI has produced over 5,000 improved varieties of palm seedlings to help palm farmers, who usually go out of the country searching for seedlings.

“Thirty-one hectares of seven different cassava varieties have been planted

to eventually provide farmers with improved cassava cuttings,” Morris said.

In a related development, Mr. Morris announced that on June 1, 2025, the administration will open the “CARI Store,” the first of its kind. The store will offer a range of agricultural products developed by the institute for public purchase.

Morris is meanwhile calling on farmers and members of the public to take advantage of the entity’s resources to improve their yields and contribute to the growth of the country’s agricultural sector.

In the aftermath of those developments, Morris disclosed how Dr. Karnuah has promised to make President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s agriculture pillar under the ARREST agenda succeeds.

The latest reform at the nation’s only agriculture research institute has reportedly restored donors’ confidence as many partners continue to hail the entity for the steady gains so far.

Prior to the civil crisis (1989-2003), CARI has remained one of the best research institutes in West Africa that played host to different agriculture research scientists from across Africa and the World.