[Monrovia, Liberia, October 6, 2025 ]– The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has welcomed a supervision team from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to assess progress on two flagship initiatives—the Tree Crop Extension Project (TCEP II) and the Building Climate Resilience Project (BCRP)—in Bong, Nimba, and Lofa Counties.

The two-week mission, led by consultant David Doolan, comprises a team of eight experts who will focus on finance, procurement, gender, environment, the rice value chain, and infrastructure development, including farm-to-market roads. As part of the mission, the team will visit key project sites to assess implementation and hold direct engagements with individual farmers and cooperatives. 

Launching the mission, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment: “We will fully support this mission and act on its recommendations to ensure the success and sustainability of these projects.”

Mr. Doolan highlighted the purpose of the exercise: “We are here to identify what is working, where adjustments are needed, and how best to ensure IFAD’s resources are utilized fully before the project closure next year.”

The mission will engage beneficiaries, including individual farmers and cooperatives involved in cocoa, vegetables, and fish farming, to capture achievements, challenges, and sustainability measures. It will also inspect 89 kilometers of completed farm-to-market roads and an additional 19 kilometers under rehabilitation in Lofa County, while reviewing procurement activities that support project implementation. Findings will later be presented to the Ministry to inform strategies for strengthening farmers’ resilience, productivity, and market access.

TCEP II enhances the livelihoods of smallholder cocoa farmers by providing seedlings, expanding market access, strengthening cooperative development, and providing extension services. It also invests in farm-to-market road rehabilitation, ensuring farmers can move their produce more efficiently. While BCRP focuses on rice and vegetable production, it also supports vulnerable communities in adapting to climate change. By promoting climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land management, and local food production, the project is boosting food security and strengthening rural livelihoods.

Together, these IFAD-supported initiatives are driving Liberia’s agricultural transformation and advancing the national vision for food self-sufficiency and rural development