By Amos Harris
MONROVIA – Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah has announced that approximately 198,000 crop farmers across Liberia have directly benefited from government-supported agricultural extension services. These initiatives, designed to boost national productivity and solidify food security, represent a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward self-sufficiency.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Minister Piah outlined the diverse range of support provided to these farmers. The interventions included the distribution of high-quality seeds, the promotion of climate-smart farming techniques to address environmental challenges, the provision of essential animal health services, and improved access to local and regional markets.
The Minister also highlighted the success of previous collaborations, noting that an additional 35,000 farmers were reached through earlier interventions supported by the financial and technical expertise of the United Nations and the European Union.
The impact of these programs is visible in the physical expansion of Liberia’s agricultural footprint. Minister Piah reported that cultivated farmland has grown by approximately 6,000 hectares nationwide. This expansion has already yielded an estimated 22,000 metric tons of marketable output, providing a much-needed boost to the national economy. Furthermore, cocoa rehabilitation efforts now cover roughly 13,000 hectares, a move that has significantly improved crop yields and increased the direct income of rural farmers.
Beyond cocoa and staple crops, the Minister noted steady progress in cassava, vegetable, fisheries, and livestock production. He characterized these gains as clear evidence of a gradual yet steady improvement in the nation’s overall agricultural health.
International partnership remains a cornerstone of this progress. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) continues to support Liberia through its “Hand in Hand” Initiative. This includes the “One Country, One Product” approach, which is specifically designed to strengthen agricultural value chains and enhance Liberia’s potential to compete in export markets. Minister Piah also credited the National Agricultural Fair 2025 for playing a pivotal role in modernization by linking buyers directly with sellers and fostering a culture of innovation.
The human impact of these policies is also becoming clear. Following a nationwide assessment of 5.63 million people, the government found that 3,755 individuals who were previously classified as food insecure achieved food security by the end of 2025. Minister Piah also pointed to successes in the Brand Cape Mount program and the Meridian Rehabs initiative as evidence that increased investment in cultivation is yielding positive results.
Looking ahead, the government has developed a comprehensive food production and resource expansion program for 2026 to scale these impacts. The Minister described the outlook for the coming year as positive and impact-driven. Future priorities will focus on the development of lowland farming and the expansion of agricultural marketing to deepen value chain operations. Crucially, these programs aim to create expanded economic opportunities for women and youth.
Minister Piah concluded by emphasizing the ultimate goal of these efforts: to strengthen household resilience against poverty while broadening job creation across every level of the agricultural sector.