Jeff Juaquellie, Chief Executive Officer of the Jeff Dekegai Juaquellie Foundation, has questioned CARI’s effectiveness and overall relevance in agricultural development agenda.
CARI is Central Agriculture Research Institute based in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Over the weekend, Juaquellie expressed concern that the institution has not delivered the level of research, innovation, and practical solutions expected of a national agricultural research body.
Juaquellie alleged that instead of functioning as a leading scientific institution, CARI appears to be increasingly influenced by political considerations; a situation he believes, has weakened its focus and productivity.
“The institute’s core mandate should center on generating modern agricultural research, develop innovative farming technologies, and provide technical solutions that directly benefit farmers.
However, Juaquellie argued that this mandate is not being fully realized, as many rural farmers continue to face persistent challenges such as low productivity, limited access to improved seeds and technologies and weak extension support systems.
Juaquellie said, despite ongoing public investment in the sector, the impact of CARI’s work is not sufficiently visible at the community level, raising questions about accountability and performance.
He called for urgent reforms to reposition the institution to meet national expectations, including stronger oversight mechanisms and a shift toward results-based research programs.
Juaquellie also urged government, and development partners to prioritize funding for institutions that demonstrate measurable impact on food security and agricultural innovation.
He further emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between research institutions, universities, and international partners to improve agricultural outcomes.
Juaquellie meanwhile, warned that if CARI continues on its current path without reform, it risks losing public trust and becoming less relevant to development priorities.
He called on policymakers to take immediate steps to restore credibility, efficiency, and innovation in agricultural research system, which Juaquellie described as essential for achieving long-term food security and economic growth.