The Connect Liberia Presentation on Agriculture Opportunities in Liberia was presented by the Liberian Agriculture Minister Flomo on September 19, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Connect Liberia events are a part of a series presented by the Liberian Consulate in Georgia and the Honorary Consul General Cynthia L. Blandford.

1. Ministry of Agriculture
September 19, 2018
By: Hon. Mogana S. Flomo, Jr.
Minister

2. OVERVIEW OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
The MOA was established in May 1972
Mission
We believe that a sustainable and decentralized
agricultural system is key to poverty reduction. Our
mission is to create an enabling environment for a more
dynamic and vibrant agricultural sector to ensure
sustainable food security and employment opportunities
for all Liberians”

3. Organizational Structure
The MOA has four departments headed by Deputy
Ministers:
Administration
Planning and Development
Technical Services
Regional Development, Research and Extension

4. Objectives, Purpose And Mission Of MOA
The MOA is responsible for the development of
agriculture sector in the Country. The sector envisaged
a self-sufficient, self-reliant and sustainable
agricultural sector.

5. MOA Strategies To Improve The Sector
Liberia Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (LASIP II) is the master
plan developed to drive the sector
Components of the master plan
- Food and nutrition security
- Competitive value chain development and market linkages
- Agricultural extension, research and development
- Sustainable production of natural resource management
- Governance and institutional strengthening

6. Year Population Density (P/Km²)
2018 4,853,516
2017 4,731,906
2016 4,613,823
2015 4,499,621
Population of Liberia (2018 and historical)

7. MOA strategies to improve the sector (cont’d)
Short term plan for priority crops/Animals: 1-2 years (rice, Cassava,
Horticultural crops, livestock/Poultry
Medium term plan 3-5 (Cocoa, crude and refined palm oil, and
Rubber)

8. MOA strategies to improve the sector (cont’d)
• Liberia’s population is 4.8M
• 70% of population depends on agriculture for livelihood which
constitutes 3,397461,000.
• 52 District Agriculture Officers and 15 County Agriculture
Coordinators (1 Extension Officer: 65,335 farmers in Liberia)
• Best practice is 1:1500 farmers (Huruna and Abdullahi, 2013)
• Considering the percentage of population depending on
Agriculture, the Country needs 2,265 extension workers. Currently,
the Ministry only have 52 extension workers
Current Status of Liberia’s Extension Service

9. MOA strategies to improve the sector (cont’d)
Regions Counties per region
Region 1 Bomi , Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu
Region 2 Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Montserrsado
Region 3 Bong, Lofa, and Nimba
Region 4 Grand Gedeh, Rivercess and Sinoe
Region 5 Grand Kru, Maryland and River Gee

10. Projected positions Counties
Regional
level :
County Agriculture Coordinator, Veterinary officer,
Agronomist, Farm equipment officer, Crop protection
officer, Monitoring and Evaluating officer, Statisticians,
Agri-business specialist , Surveillance officer (Plants
and Animals health), Secretary, Communication officer
These positions are
meant for each of
the regions
County-
level
County Agriculture Coordinator, District Agriculture
Officers, Monitoring and evaluation officer, Livestock
officer, Agri-business officer, Surveillance officer (Plants
and Animals health), Food crops officer, Water and
irrigation officer, Janitors
For each of the
County
MOA strategies to improve the sector (cont’d)

11. MOA strategies to improve the sector (cont’d)
Farming groups- To decide how many Hectares of land to cultivate and
agree to pay after harvesting and marketing their produce (payback
scheme)
CDA to collaborate with farmers and organize them into farmer base
organizations and Cooperatives and get them prepared to work with
investment partners
MOA- provides extension and technical services to farming groups and
cooperatives
Setting up Technology Centres (Thru Public -Private Partnership)

12. MOA strategies to improve the sector (cont’d)
MOA to collaborate with Ministry of Internal Affairs to coordinate for the
reintroduction of the communal farming
CARI- To provide support in the varieties of crops that are adaptable for
farmers use with an affordable cost.
MOA to coordinate with MoE in support of school garden programs
Setting up Technology Centres (Thru Public -Private Partnership)

13. MOA strategies to improve the sector (cont’d)
Work with Agriculture colleges of various universities to produce quality
Agriculture graduates.
MOA to collaborate with international and local partners to address issues
of storage, transport and export
MOA to work with partners to improve on standards and quality of
agriproducts for export.
Setting up Technology Centres (Thru Public -Private Partnership)

14. • Weak private sector and entrepreneurial skills
• High subsistence and inefficient production systems
• Weak policy and business environment
• Inadequate infrastructure – storage, transport, processing, etc.
• Inadequate agricultural funding
• Very low agricultural research and development
• Limited technicians
Challenges to agricultural transformation
and food security

15. • Farmers’ productivity will increase
• Food security and nutrition will
improve
• Farmers’ income will increase
• Poverty will be reduced
• Livelihood will be improved
Expected Outcome

16. Thank You