By Laurina B. Lormia
President Joseph Boakai has called on the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to support Liberia’s poultry sector as part of his administration’s efforts to boost local food production.
Speaking during a high-level meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alvaro Lario, President Boakai emphasized his government’s goal of ensuring that Liberia produces 80% of its eggs and poultry products by the end of 2026.
He noted that reducing the country’s reliance on imported poultry would enhance food security, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy.
According to him, his administration is committed to transforming Liberia’s agricultural sector, and poultry production is a key part of that agenda. “We want to ensure that by the end of next year, at least 80% of the eggs and poultry consumed in Liberia are produced right in Liberia,” President Boakai stated.
He urged IFAD to provide technical and financial assistance to local farmers, emphasizing the need for improved poultry farms, access to quality feed, and better veterinary services. Highlighting his government’s broader strategy to support smallholder farmers and agribusinesses through policy reforms and investment incentives.
President Boakai acknowledged IFAD’s critical role in boosting the country’s agro-food systems, including the establishment of an IFAD office in Liberia in 2023 and the appointment of a dedicated Country Representative covering Liberia and Sierra Leone.
He praised his government’s investment in establishing a cocoa seed garden in Nimba County. This initiative, expected to provide high-yield hybrid cocoa seeds to Liberian farmers by 2026, is a critical step toward revitalizing the country’s cocoa industry. To further highlight its significance, President Boakai extended an invitation to Mr. Lario to visit Liberia and tour the facility.
President Boakai hailed IFAD’s allocation of over $50 million under IFAD 13, set to take effect in 2026, as a game-changer for the nation’s agricultural sector. To demonstrate Liberia’s commitment, he announced a $100,000 contribution to IFAD 13, pledging that the funds will be delivered on time. Mr. Lario welcomed this pledge, emphasizing that it reinforces Liberia’s determination to drive meaningful agricultural development.
The discussion also focused on IFAD’s support for rice and vegetable production through the Climate Resilience Project. With over 1,000 hectares of lowland rice farms in Bong and Nimba counties undergoing rehabilitation and the provision of modern rice mills to reduce post-harvest losses, IFAD’s backing is driving sustainable solutions in Liberia’s staple crop production.
He however, commended IFAD’s investment in 308.64 km of rehabilitated farm-to-market roads in Lofa and Nimba counties, emphasizing their role in boosting market access, lowering commodity prices, reducing post-harvest losses, and facilitating trade with neighboring countries. He invited Mr. Lario to Liberia to assess these improvements firsthand.
In line with his administration’s “Liberians Feed Yourselves” Agenda, President Boakai proposed an international and regional conference to mobilize resources for food security and climate resilience. IFAD expressed strong support, and the President directed Liberia’s Agriculture Minister to spearhead its implementation.
Meanwhile, IFAD’s President, Mr. Lario, reaffirmed his commitment to a bottom-up approach that empowers rural communities, lauding President Boakai’s Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development Initiative (AAID) for its focus on inclusivity.
President Boakai remains steadfast in forging strategic partnerships that drive sustainable agricultural growth, enhance food security, and uplift Liberian farmers. His administration’s engagement with IFAD underscores its vision for a self-reliant Liberia, where agriculture is not just a sector but the backbone of economic transformation.
