Monrovia – (PMU-MoA / 01-22-21): The Ministry of Agriculture has presented eight heavy-duty YAMAHA motorcycles and a consignment of Office furniture to the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) to enhance the work of the entity. The bikes are part of a support package under the Tree Crop Extension Project (TCEP) financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). LACRA recently received a brand new Land Cruiser Jeep from the project.

Making the symbolic presentation at the Ministry, Deputy Agriculture Minister for Planning and Development Mr. Robert K. Fagans said, the ministry of Agriculture has put in place a rigorous monitoring system to monitor the performance of all entities and institutions receiving support from government and donor-funded projects. He said, “the ministry is interested in the impact that support to institutions are making on the lives of the ordinary farmers in the villages and towns”. He called on recipients to improve on the reporting system to demonstrate the progress in the field.

The Liberia Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Authority(LACRA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two IFAD funded projects; the TCEP implemented in Nimba County and TCEP-II implemented in Lofa County. As part of the MoU, LACRA will provide certification of cocoa to ensure that they meet international standard and support cooperatives to curtail illegal trade of cocoa, and offer methodology for better pricing and ccontribute to the implementation of the National Cocoa Development Program.

According to the Project Coordinator Mr. Emmanuel G. Vah, Jr. LACRA will provide training for kuu groups, farmers, Private Sector Partners (PSPs) and cooperatives on cocoa handling processes – quality control and contract negotiation and create a database for all cocoa farmers trained and supported in Nimba and Lofa Counties. He welcomed the collaboration with LACRA and said the project is pleased to work with LACRA for the enhancement of cocoa production in the country.

Also making remarks, the Director General of LACRA, Dr.  John Flomo thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and IFAD for the support. He said preparation for the deployment of Quality Control Officers to the two counties is completed. He assure that LACRA will live up to the terms of the MOU and use the logistical support for the exclusive implementation of the component ascribe to LACRA.

Knowledge Management and Communication Unit

IFAD-PIU / Program Management Unit

Ministry of Agriculture