By P. Stephen Tokpah
(Bong freelancer)
The FAO Country Representative to Liberia, Bintia Stephen Tchicaya, has expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture for championing the developmental strategies that will provide a clear roadmap for Liberia’s agriculture sector transformation.
“As FAO, we recognize the importance of these policy documents in shaping Liberia’s agricultural landscape for the next five years. The National Agriculture Development Plan focuses on private sector participation, value chain development, and strategic investments, which align closely with the 2023 agenda, and FAO’s mission is to promote sustainable agrifood systems culture and rural transformation,” Madam Tchicaya added.
The FAO Country Representative said the agrifood systems are at the core of the 2030 agenda and offer a wealth of opportunities to help Liberia reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She said by supporting agri-food systems transformation, FAO’s aim is to ensure that these systems are more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable -for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving on one behind.
The FAO Country Representative further acknowledged the efforts of other development partners and multilateral institutions that contributed to the development of these policy documents, adding “Together, our collective efforts, along with the leadership and foresight of the government, we now have this strategy instrument that will guide investment in the agriculture sector.
Madam Tchicaya revealed that the FAO has played a pivotal role in the formulation of the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), Liberia’s comprehensive 6-year strategy spanning from 2024 to 2030.
“This strategic blueprint places a strong emphasis on fostering private sector engagement and advancing agricultural growth through a value-chain approach. The NADP strategically targets key value chains, including rice, cassava, maize, cocoa, coffee, fruits, rubber, vegetables, livestock, poultry, fisheries, aquaculture, coconut, and cashew nuts,” she noted.
Moreover, the plan incorporates critical cross-cutting components such as mechanization, research, development, and extension services.
The FAO Country Representative to Liberia, at the same time, said, in close collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), FAO played a crucial role in shaping the zero post-harvest management strategy.
According to her, this comprehensive strategy presents a holistic approach to tackling post-harvest losses across Liberia’s agricultural value chains, adding that by combining technical expertise and policy guidance, the Zero Post-harvest Management Strategy aims to halve post-harvest losses by 25 percent, a significant step towards achieving transformed and sustainable agrifood system in Liberia.
Furthermore, she said the strategy identifies critical loss points along priority commodity food chains, such as rice, cowpeas, cassava, and vegetables.
For instance, the highest losses in the rice occur during transportation, while cowpeas suffer the most during storage, noting that cassava and vegetables experience significant losses at the harvesting stage, with vegetables being the most vulnerable due to their perishable nature.
She said, by addressing these loss points through targeted interventions and best practices, the Zero Post-harvest Management Strategy set the stage for improved food security, reduced food prices, and enhanced stakeholder welfare across Liberia’s agricultural landscape.
FAO’s technical expertise, combined with the collaboration efforts of the WFP and IFAD, ensures that this strategy is grounded in evidence-based solutions and aligned with global best practices in post-harvest management.
She also pledged the FAO’s commitment to working hand in hand with the Government of Liberia, development partners, and all stakeholders, to achieve resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems in the country.
The FAO Country Representative made the statement at the ongoing Ministry of Agriculture Transforming Liberia Agricultural Landscape “Field Validation” workshop in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Key documents that were validated included “National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), Zero Post-harvest Loss Strategy, Food Supply Chain Assessment, and Preparedness Plan for food security and nutrition crisis.”
The two-day workshop was held under the theme: “Charting a Path to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.”
