By Amos Harris
The Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), operating through the Smallholder Agriculture Development for Food and Nutrition Security (SADFONS) Project, has produced over 100 metric tons of seed rice, reaching nearly half of its 250-metric-ton production target.
This milestone follows a major contribution from the African Development Bank (AfDB), which donated a 90-horsepower tractor and a suite of agricultural machinery and implements to CARI. The new equipment aims to enhance mechanized farming capabilities and accelerate seed production across the country.
Launched in June 2021 as a cornerstone of Liberia’s agricultural strategy, the SADFONS Project focuses on bolstering food security, reducing rural poverty, enhancing agricultural value chains, and building institutional capacity for local farmer organizations.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony, National Coordination Officer Dennis J. Wiagbe emphasized that field mechanization is critical to alleviating manual labor burdens and empowering community-based agricultural organizations. Wiagbe revealed that CARI and the Ministry of Agriculture have established a Memorandum of Understanding to guarantee improved seed access for local farmers. He assured stakeholders that the National Coordination Office in Monrovia will closely monitor the equipment to prevent underutilization and misuse.
The comprehensive machinery package donated by the AfDB includes a 90-horsepower tractor, a heavy-duty thresher, a disc plough, a seed planter, power tillers, grass cutters, motorized sprayers, sewing machines, GPS systems, and field-monitoring drone technology.
The seed-focused component of the SADFONS Project will run through 2027 and is being executed by CARI across 11 counties: Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, River Gee, Maryland, Bomi, Bong, Montserrado, Sinoe, Grand Bassa, River Cess, and Grand Cape Mount. Since its launch, the initiative has concentrated on expanding the cultivation of rice, cassava, and vegetables, while simultaneously driving market access, value chain growth, and climate resilience.
CARI Director General Dr. Arthur Bob Karnuah noted that achieving over 100 metric tons of seed rice before receiving the heavy machinery underscores the institute’s strong foundation. He expressed confidence that mechanization would dramatically boost future outputs. “Without machines, we were able to produce 100 metric tons of seed rice. With this equipment, we will surely increase production,” Karnuah stated, while also underscoring the critical need for a reliable supply of spare parts to sustain long-term operations.
Karnuah further advocated for investments in solar energy to power CARI’s seed bank and gene bank, noting that sustainable energy infrastructure is vital for maintaining research efforts and safeguarding Liberia’s national genetic resources.
Echoing these views, CARI Deputy Director General for Research Dr. Quaqua Mulbah described the donation as a pivotal advance that will minimize labor drudgery and expand overall crop yields. William F. Kortee Jr., Director for Finance and Administration at CARI, similarly hailed the contribution as a major step forward in expanding the institution’s capacity.
Jobson A. Momo, Director General of the Seed Development Certification Agency (SDCA), commended the AfDB, the Ministry of Agriculture, CARI, and partner organizations for their sustained efforts toward developing Liberia’s seed infrastructure. Momo stated that Liberia is rapidly building the capacity to produce certified seeds, enabling local farmers to transition from subsistence farming toward commercial agriculture.
Momo highlighted the establishment of Liberia’s first seed garden at CARI, funded jointly through the AfDB-backed SADFONS project and the World Bank-supported RETRAP initiative. The garden has enabled researchers to recover and preserve key genetic lines, including Nerica L19 and Suakoko 8, marking vital progress after decades of seed system disruption following the country’s civil war.
According to Momo, Liberia’s recent strides in seed-system architecture received international recognition at the Africa-India Summit, where the nation was presented as a key case study under “The Harmonization of Seed Systems.” However, he cautioned that building a dependable seed sector demands continuous funding and specialized technical expertise, stressing that certified seed production is far more complex than simply holding back commercial grain for planting.
With the initial 100 metric tons completed, CARI and the SADFONS Project are positioning mechanized farming as the engine to reach their 250-metric-ton goal. Project leaders remain optimistic that modern machinery, reliable seed certification, and institutional collaboration will transform Liberia’s agricultural landscape, driving food security and integrating local farmers into broader domestic and regional markets.