By: Godgift Harris
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said approximately 198,000 crop farmers across Liberia have directly benefited from government-supported agricultural extension services aimed at boosting productivity and strengthening food security.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Minister Piah said the beneficiaries received support through seed distribution, promotion of climate-smart farming practices, animal health services, and improved access to markets.
He disclosed that an additional 35,000 farmers were reached through earlier agricultural interventions implemented with strong financial and technical backing from the United Nations and the European Union.
Providing an update on agricultural production and value chain development, the Minister reported that cultivated farmland expanded by about 6,000 hectares nationwide, resulting in an estimated 22,000 metric tons of marketable output.
He further noted that cocoa rehabilitation efforts covered approximately 13,000 hectares, significantly improving yields and increasing farmer incomes.
Minister Piah said gains were also recorded in cassava, vegetable, fisheries and livestock production, describing the progress as evidence of gradual improvement in the country’s agricultural sector.
He further noted that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has supported Liberia through its “Hand in Hand” Initiative, including the One Country, One Product approach, which is designed to strengthen agricultural value chains and enhance the country’s export potential.
According to him, the National Agricultural Fair 2025 played a critical role in linking buyers and sellers, promoting innovation and advancing agricultural modernization across the country.
Building on these achievements, Minister Piah said the government has developed a comprehensive food production and resource expansion program for 2026 to consolidate gains and scale up impact.
He revealed that 5.63 million people were assessed nationwide, with 3,755 individuals who were previously food insecure achieving food security by 2025.
He also reported notable improvements under the Brand Cape Mount program, covering Phases I, II, and III, as well as the Meridian Rehabs initiative, attributing the progress largely to increased investment in cultivation and productivity.
Looking ahead, Minister Piah described the 2026 outlook as positive and impact-driven, with priorities including the expansion of lowland development and agricultural marketing to deepen value chain operations and create increased opportunities for women and youth.
“These interventions are intended to strengthen household resilience against poverty while broadening job creation across the agricultural sector,” the Minister said.