[Ganta, Nimba County – February 20, 2025] -  The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has launched a comprehensive training program on Extension and Advisory Services for both old and newly appointed county staff, including Regional Agriculture Coordinators (RACs), County Agriculture Coordinators (CACs), District Agriculture Officers (DAOs), and other relevant personnel. The training in Ganta, Nimba County, runs from February 17 to 22, 2025.

This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of MOA’s decentralized staff to deliver effective agricultural extension and advisory services to smallholder farmers across Liberia's 15 counties. The training curriculum includes result-based reporting, crop and livestock management, post-harvest handling, value addition, and market access strategies to improve productivity and competitiveness in key agricultural value chains, including rice, cassava, oil palm, vegetables, and livestock.

The program supports the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to advance the goals of the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP) and the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P), funded by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). These projects aim to enhance the productive capacity of smallholder farmers, promote commercialization, and strengthen agro-marketing systems for sustainable agricultural development in Liberia.

At the opening ceremony, Hon. Moses R. Gbanyan, Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Research, and Extension, emphasized the importance of empowering county staff with modern agricultural practices to support farmers in overcoming productivity, market linkages, and value-addition challenges.

“This training is crucial to transforming Liberia’s agricultural sector. By equipping our county staff with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are empowering them to effectively support smallholder farmers in adopting improved agricultural practices, enhancing productivity, and accessing competitive markets,” said Deputy Minister Gbanyan.

Mr. Alexander Shiakeh, Agribusiness Specialist for RETRAP and STAR-P, encouraged participants to engage in the training fully, emphasizing its significance in enhancing their roles within their assigned counties and districts.

“I wish you all a knowledge-filled training and look forward to a cordial working relationship as we collaborate to make the agriculture sector viable,” stated Mr. Shiakeh.

He further assured the CACs and DAOs of the projects’ continued support for MOA’s extension and advisory service delivery activities.

The training aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to fostering sustainable agricultural practices, promoting inclusive agricultural systems, and enhancing food security and nutrition through effective extension and advisory services.

Participants include RACs, CACs, DAOs, specialists in agribusiness, crop development, and livestock management, and facilitators from the Ministry and partner organizations. The five-day training program features interactive sessions, group discussions, and practical demonstrations, ensuring participants acquire hands-on experience and strategies for efficient service delivery to farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture remains dedicated to achieving food security and economic growth by strengthening the capacity of its decentralized offices and supporting smallholder farmers in transitioning from subsistence level to treating farming as a business