By Jamesetta D Williams
A major effort aimed at reviving Liberia’s once-thriving coffee sector is gaining momentum as the Liberia Agricultural Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), expands a large-scale coffee nursery project across Lofa, Bong, and Nimba Counties.
The initiative, being implemented under the leadership of LACRA Acting Director General Hon. Dan T. Saryee, has already produced more than 140,000 premium Coffee Liberica seedlings, a rare and resilient coffee variety indigenous to West Africa.
According to authorities, the project is intended to reposition Liberia as a competitive player in the specialized global coffee market while creating new economic opportunities for local farmers.
During a recent town hall meeting in Voinjama, Lofa County, local farmers reportedly praised the initiative and expressed appreciation to the Unity Party-led government under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for supporting the revitalization of the agriculture sector.
Several beneficiaries described the intervention as historic, noting that it marks the first time since the end of Liberia’s civil war that government has undertaken a major effort to provide coffee seedlings directly to farmers in Lofa County.
Speaking during an assessment visit to the nursery site in Lofa County, Hon. Dan T. Saryee expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project, stating that the large number of seedlings demonstrates Liberia’s readiness to reclaim its place on the international coffee market.
“The availability of over 140,000 seedlings is LACRA’s way of saying we are ready to revive the coffee sector,” Hon. Saryee said.
He also extended gratitude to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for its technical partnership and support toward the success of the initiative.
The LACRA Acting Director General further commended members of the institution’s technical team and field staff for their dedication and commitment in ensuring the successful implementation of the nursery project.
Authorities say the distribution of the 140,000 seedlings represents the first major phase of a broader long-term economic strategy aimed at empowering local farmers, increasing agricultural productivity, and boosting Liberia’s export revenue through coffee production.
The initiative is also expected to improve livelihoods in rural communities by creating sustainable farming opportunities and encouraging greater participation in commercial agriculture across the country.
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