A delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) has completed a learning and exchange visit to Sierra Leone’s Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (AVDP), reinforcing regional cooperation among IFAD-supported initiatives.
According to a recent press release the Led by Project Coordinator Stephen Marvie Jr., the three-day mission which ran from March 23–25, 2026 focused on gaining practical insights to strengthen Liberia’s agricultural transformation efforts, especially in oil palm development and Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) cultivation.
During the visit, the delegation engaged directly with farming communities and stakeholders, observing firsthand how targeted investments, improved farming practices, and community-based approaches are transforming livelihoods and boosting productivity.
The team also visited Njala University, where discussions centered on research collaboration, especially in oil palm seedling development and nursery management, key areas for strengthening value chains in Liberia.
This engagement reflects the growing importance of South–South Cooperation, where countries with similar development realities share practical knowledge, innovations, and experiences to accelerate progress. The release states that through this approach, Liberia is leveraging proven solutions from Sierra Leone to strengthen its own agricultural systems.
The exchange further highlighted the importance of regional partnerships, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to continued knowledge sharing. Plans are underway for a reciprocal visit to Liberia.
These efforts directly support the Government’s “Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda,” which is not only focused on increasing domestic food production and reducing import dependency, but also on creating indigenous wealth by empowering Liberian farmers, strengthening local agribusinesses, and retaining value within the national economy.
