"We are not trying to build an agricultural sector to get back to 1980s level; we're trying to build an agricultural sector of the 21st century..."

- Dr. Florence Chenoweth, 2011 recipient of Africa Prize for Leadership, Min. of Agriculture, Liberia

Countries in which GAFSP is active:

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Liberia

$46.5 million to enhance the income of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, through sustainable land expansion and land improvement, increased market access, and strengthening institutional capacities.

GAFSP financing in Liberia will support the implementation of sustainable medium and long-term investments in agriculture guided by the Liberia Agriculture Sector Investment Program (LASIP). From 1989 to 2003 Liberia was riddled with prolonged conflicts that devastated the country’s institutional and human capacities, displaced farming communities, and damaged transport and processing infrastructures.

By supporting LASIP, GAFSP funds will enable Liberia to rebuild and maximize the agricultural sector’s contributions to economic growth, employment and income generation, food and nutrition security, and overall poverty reduction. The program will increase the income of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, through irrigable land expansion, land husbandry improvement, and improvement of market access.

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Sustainable Land Expansion:

GAFSP funding will support the expansion of irrigable land and improvement of land husbandry in order to increase food production and income generation. The program includes the development of a strategic irrigation investment plan, the construction of small-scale irrigation schemes, and other key activities for increased crop production, such as access to seeds and cuttings, plant nutrients, fertilizers, and pest management.

Increased Market Access:

In the project areas, at least 40% of crops are lost during post-harvest activities. GAFSP funding will support efforts to address this issue by increasing feeder roads, storage facilities, modern marketplaces, and processing equipment.

Strengthening Institutional Capacities:

GAFSP funding will be used to support sector development, strengthen farmer-based organizations, establish an accountable and transparent system, and expand the capacities of Liberia’s key agricultural institutions. It will also contribute to the rehabilitation and modernization of the country’s adaptive agricultural research services, which will enable farmers to be involved in implementing trials and analyzing findings and results.