LIBERIA – The Government of Liberia and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a €5 million (US$5.2 million) grant agreement aimed at bolstering Liberia’s agricultural sector through the Scaling-Up Agroecology Approaches in Liberia project.
This initiative, funded by the European Union, is designed to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers by promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Focus on food security and climate resilience
The project is a key component of the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P), a joint initiative co-financed by IFAD and the World Bank.
In addition to the US$5.2 million grant, the resources will complement US$28 million previously allocated by IFAD. The four-year project is scheduled to begin in 2025.
The primary goals of the project are to improve food security, strengthen rural livelihoods, and enhance resilience to climate change through agroecological practices.
Key areas of focus include increasing horticultural production via soil fertility enhancement, implementing sustainable water management practices, and introducing innovative irrigation technologies.
Furthermore, the project aims to foster farmer collaboration through co-creation models, promoting shared learning and innovation.
Grant agreement highlights
The signing ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, who signed on behalf of the government, and IFAD Country Representative Pascaline Barankeba, who represented the organization.
In his remarks, Minister Ngafuan emphasized the importance of international collaboration in achieving Liberia’s development goals. He noted that the grant aligns with the recently endorsed ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP).
“This agreement reflects the commitment of our international partners to Liberia’s development. It supports our vision for an inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector,” he stated.
Ngafuan also expressed gratitude to the European Union for its financial support, highlighting the potential of the project to improve food security and help farmers adapt to climate change challenges.
Commitment to development
IFAD’s Country Representative Barankeba echoed these sentiments, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to Liberia’s agricultural transformation.
“This project is well-aligned with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda and the National Agriculture Development Plan. We look forward to strengthening our cooperation through this initiative and beyond,” she said.
Barankeba also revealed that IFAD will announce its country allocation under IFAD 13 early next year, creating opportunities to increase investment or identify new projects to further enhance agricultural development in Liberia.
The signing follows the endorsement of Liberia’s US$8.4 billion national development plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which aims to foster growth across various sectors.
