[Monrovia, Liberia – October 10, 2025]: The Ministry of Agriculture, in conjunction with its Program Management Unit (PMU), has convened its 20th National Steering Committee (NSC) Meeting for donor-funded agricultural projects.

The NSC meeting provides a platform to review the performance of donor-funded projects over the previous and current fiscal years and to consider and endorse the 2026 Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs). Key projects under review include the Tree Crops Extension Project II (TCEP II), the Building Climate Resilience Project (BCRP), the Sustainable Agriculture Development and Food Systems Strengthening Project (SADFONS), and the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP).

Speaking at the opening, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah emphasized the importance of accountability and active engagement in project oversight: 

“We will meet quarterly to see how these projects can be improved. You are also expected to conduct field visits to verify activities. We intend to ensure that the roles of the Steering Committee are fully implemented under this leadership. Every quarter, the steering committee will meet to get progress reports from these projects, implementing partners, and project coordinators to make timely amendments where necessary.”

He explained that the committee’s role extends beyond approving annual work plans and budgets. “The steering committee will not just meet annually to do approvals. We intend to ensure that its duties are performed to the fullest and its oversight role validates project activities, building greater confidence among development partners”.

The NSC serves as a high-level policy and decision-making body, guiding the management and implementation of donor-funded agricultural projects in alignment with the ARREST Agenda and Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda.

The body comprises senior government officials, private sector actors, and development partners. The Minister of Finance and Development Planning serves as Co-Chair, and other key members, including the Ministers of Public Works, Commerce and Industry, and Gender, Children and Social Protection.

Institutional members include the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), National Investment Commission (NIC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cooperative Development Agency (CDA), Liberia Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA), Liberia Land Authority (LLA), Farmers Union Network (FUN), Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC), Liberia Business Association (LIBA), and the Liberia Bankers’ Association (LBA).

Following presentations and deliberations that ensured agricultural investments improve productivity, enhance climate resilience, and empower smallholder farmers, women, and youth, NSC members unanimously endorsed the 2026 Annual Work Plans and Budgets for the various projects.