The European Union-funded Seeds4Liberia Project, has distributed improved seeds, seedlings, fish fingerlings, and modern agricultural equipment to farmers, and producer organizations.
The effort aims to increase local food production, and reduce the country’s reliance on imported agricultural commodities.
The symbolic handover ceremony, held at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), brought together officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, the European Union, AfricaRice, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), WorldFish, development partners, researchers, and farmers.
AfricaRice Country Representative to Liberia, Moustapha Gaye, described the initiative as a landmark investment that goes beyond the distribution of agricultural inputs.
Gaye said, the project reflects the strong partnership between the government, EU, and international agricultural institutions working together to strengthen the agricultural sector, and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
He praised EU for financing the project, which he said, has strengthened the seed systems, expanded access to quality planting materials, promoted sustainable farming technologies, and improved national food security.
EU Agriculture Program Officer, Antonio Di Clemente, said, the Seeds4Liberia Project is focused on building resilient seed systems for rice, cassava, soybean, coffee, and fish value chains.
Clemente, explained how the initiative will strengthen the capacity to produce, and regulate high-quality breeder seeds, seedlings, and fish broodstock while promoting climate-resilient crop varieties, improving seed certification, and expanding market opportunities for farmers.
Assistant Agriculture Minister for Planning and Development, Francis Mulbah, reaffirmed government’s commitment to revitalize agriculture through strategic partnerships, while Farmers Union of Liberia, Director Josephine Francis, challenged farmers to take ownership of the project to ensure its long-term success.
Funded by EU under its Global Gateway initiative, and implemented by AfricaRice, IITA, WorldFish, and Liberian agricultural institutions, the Seeds4Liberia Project, is expected to strengthen food security, improve rural livelihoods, increase agricultural productivity, and accelerate the drive toward food independence.
