By Jamesetta D. Williams
Monrovia-The Ministry of Agriculture has approved the 2027 Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs) for several donor-funded agricultural projects, with a call for improved coordination, timely disbursement of funds, and accelerated implementation.
The approval was made Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during the 23rd meeting of the National Project Steering Committee (NPSC), which brought together senior government officials and project teams to review investment priorities and address challenges affecting project implementation.
Speaking at the meeting, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah emphasized the need to address delays in fund disbursement and outstanding vendor payments, warning that such challenges could slow the implementation of projects intended to benefit farmers across the country.
The Minister called on relevant institutions to work together to remove bottlenecks and ensure that project activities are completed within agreed timelines.
He said the Steering Committee must go beyond reviewing work plans and budgets to identifying implementation challenges, developing practical solutions, and ensuring that the projects achieve their intended objectives.
While acknowledging progress in project implementation, particularly in infrastructure development, Dr. Nuetah stressed the need to accelerate outstanding activities and strengthen coordination among institutions responsible for financing and executing the projects.
Projects reviewed during the meeting included the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P), Investing in Livelihood Resilience and Soil Health in ACP Countries (ILSA), and the Tree Crop Extension Project Phase II (TCEP-II).
Other projects included the Building Climate Resilience Project (BCRP) and the Smallholder Agriculture Development for Food and Nutrition Security (SADFONS).
Following presentations and deliberations, members of the Steering Committee unanimously endorsed the proposed 2027 work plans and budgets.
The approved plans are expected to guide investments aimed at improving agricultural productivity, developing rural infrastructure, strengthening support for smallholder farmers, and improving livelihoods in farming communities.
The meeting also focused on addressing challenges affecting project implementation to ensure that resources allocated to the agricultural sector deliver the intended results.
The National Project Steering Committee comprises representatives from key government institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Ministry of Public Works, Environmental Protection Agency, Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), and Cooperative Development Agency (CDA).
The committee provides a platform for relevant institutions to review project performance, establish priorities, and address issues affecting the implementation of agricultural development initiatives.
The Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to working with development partners and implementing institutions to accelerate project delivery and ensure that investments produce measurable benefits for farmers and rural communities across Liberia.
The approval of the 2027 work plans and budgets comes as the government continues efforts to strengthen agricultural production, improve food security, and support rural development.
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