The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has successfully concluded a nationwide Implementation Support Mission (ISM).
The Mission to strengthen strategies for food self-sufficiency and improve rural livelihoods.
It was conducted under the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P), and the Investing in Livelihood Resilience and Soil Health in ACP Countries (ILSA).
Participants were drawn a joint team of international and national agricultural experts, MoA, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), and key stakeholders, including the ministries of Public Works, Commerce, and Finance.
Members of the joint agriculture team carried out field assessments and technical reviews Margibi, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Bong, Lofa, Nimba and Maryland counties.
The exercise focused on strengthening project implementation, identifying bottlenecks, improving efficiency, and ensuring that project benefits effectively reach farmers and rural communities nationwide. The team interacted with Farmers-Based Organizations (FBOs) to assess ongoing interventions, and explore opportunities for scaling up support.
In Margibi County, members of the God Favor Agriculture Group road showcased their vegetable production activities on six hectares of land, highlighted the impact of support received through STAR-P. Farmers expressed appreciation for the interventions, including grants, technical training, land-clearing tools, boots and gloves.
Many reported increased access to food, improved household incomes, and the ability to support their children education and healthcare needs.
IFAD Country Representative for Liberia and Sierra Leone, Pascaline Barankeba, reaffirmed IFAD’s commitment to support Liberia’s agricultural transformation.
The goal is not just to support production, but to build resilient farming systems that can withstand climate challenges while improving incomes for rural households.
STAR-P/ILSA Project Coordinator, Stephen Marvie, spoke of the mission’s practical outcomes, which he said,
has provided opportunity to directly engage farmers, understand their challenges, and refine the Mission’s interventions.