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ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue X October 2025

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Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Liberia’s Agricultural Sector

and Strategic Adaptation Approaches

Allenton D. Allen Jr., Norah N. Giddings., Isaiah Nuah, Woubu M. Darkparyoun, Elijah Sayewaa

Hohai University, China

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.910000781

Received: 07 November 2025; Accepted: 14 November 2025; Published: 24 November 2025

ABSTRACT

Climate change poses a critical threat to agricultural systems and food security worldwide, with particularly

acute impacts in post-conflict nations like Liberia. This systematic literature review examines the impacts of

climate change on Liberia's agricultural sector and identifies context-appropriate adaptation strategies. We

analyzed 72 peer-reviewed articles and institutional reports (2011-2024) addressing agricultural productivity

under climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa and West African contexts applicable to Liberia. The review

synthesizes evidence on temperature increases, rainfall variability, drought stress, flooding, and pest

proliferation, all of which significantly reduce crop yields in tropical agricultural systems. Key adaptation

strategies identified include: crop diversification with drought- and flood-tolerant varieties, improved water

management, adjusted planting calendars based on climate forecasts, agroforestry systems, conservation

agriculture, integrated pest management, enhanced climate information services, and soil fertility management.

These strategies, drawn from regional experiences and adapted to Liberia's post-conflict context, offer

pathways to enhance agricultural resilience. However, significant research gaps remain regarding Liberia-

specific climate impacts and the effectiveness of adaptation interventions under local conditions. This review

provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, development partners, and researchers to support

climate-resilient agricultural development in Liberia.

Keywords: agriculture; climate change; Liberia; food productivity; adaptation strategies; post-conflict

recovery; systematic review; West Africa

INTRODUCTION

Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century, with profound

impacts on agricultural systems and food security. Rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, diminishing soil

moisture, and the proliferation of plant pathogens represent well-documented consequences of anthropogenic

climate change (Singh et al., 2019; Heilmeier, 2019; Dorji et al., 2020; Pandey and Choudhary, 2019). Global

food security faces increasing threats from climate variability, with significant disruptions in crop productivity

observed across multiple regions (Ruminta, 2016). Ray et al. (2019) found that climate change has already

begun affecting global food production, with regions such as Australia, Europe, and Southern Africa

experiencing major crop losses, while Asia, North America, and Central America face more diverse and

region-specific challenges.

Greenhouse gas accumulation primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides drives these changing

climate patterns, reshaping ecosystems and threatening food systems globally. International efforts have

focused on reducing carbon emissions, with agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord aiming to mitigate

global warming (Surmaini and Runtunuwu, 2015; Perdinan et al., 2019). However, extreme weather events

including floods, droughts, and temperature extremes continue to escalate, while shifting pest and disease

dynamics pose significant risks to food production, particularly in tropical regions of West Africa (Asnawi,

2015; Campbell et al., 2016). These disruptions undermine local agricultural systems that depend on climate

stability and are particularly vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns (Hidayati and Suryanto, 2015).

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Liberia, still recovering from nearly 14 years of civil conflict (1989-2003), faces compounded agricultural

challenges. The conflict decimated agricultural infrastructure, displaced farming communities, and disrupted

traditional farming practices (AfDB, 2016). Climate change poses an additional layer of risk, threatening

fragile agricultural systems crucial for the livelihoods of approximately 70% of Liberia's population;

agriculture contributes around 34% of the nation's GDP (Government of Liberia, 2019). The sector remains

largely subsistence-based and heavily reliant on rainfall patterns, leaving smallholder farmers vulnerable to

unpredictable climate variations.

Liberia's tropical climate and coastal geography make it particularly susceptible to climate change impacts.

Rising sea levels threaten productive agricultural lands along the coast, while shifting rainfall patterns disrupt

traditional planting and harvesting schedules. Similar to neighboring West African countries including Sierra

Leone, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia experiences increased temperature variability, altered rainy seasons,

more frequent extreme weather events, and agricultural pest expansion into new regions (FAO, 2016). These

changes pose significant risks to food security in a post-conflict nation striving to achieve stability and

sustainable development.

Despite agriculture's critical importance to Liberia's economy and food security, research on climate change

adaptation in the agricultural sector remains limited compared to other African nations such as Kenya, Ethiopia,

and South Africa, where extensive climate-agriculture studies have been conducted (Lobell et al., 2008; Elum

et al., 2017). This gap underscores the urgent need for systematic examination of climate change impacts and

potential adaptation strategies in the Liberian context. Understanding how climate change affects Liberian

agriculture and identifying appropriate adaptation strategies are essential for ensuring food security, reducing

rural poverty, and supporting sustainable development. The vulnerability is particularly acute because most

Liberian farmers are smallholders using traditional farming methods, with limited access to climate

information, improved agricultural inputs, or adaptive technologies (Jayne et al., 2010).

By drawing on regional studies from West Africa and applying lessons from similar post-conflict and tropical

contexts, this paper informs stakeholders about challenges and opportunities for maintaining agricultural

productivity under changing climatic conditions. Identifying and promoting context-appropriate adaptation

strategies is crucial for Liberia's agricultural resilience and long-term food security.

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METHODOLOGY

This systematic literature review focuses on assessing agricultural productivity under climate change, with a

specific emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly contexts relevant to Liberia. The review synthesizes

peer-reviewed articles and institutional reports that explore climate impacts on agriculture and adaptation

strategies.

Search Strategy and Data Sources

The review utilized several electronic databases, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Taylor and Francis

Online, Mendeley, Springer Link, and Wiley Online Library, with a publication date range from January 2011

to December 2024. Key search terms included "agriculture," "climate change," "food productivity,"

"adaptation strategies," "Liberia," "West Africa," "post-conflict agriculture," "smallholder farming," "tropical

agriculture," and "climate resilience." Additionally, institutional reports from organizations like the FAO,

World Bank, USAID, UNDP, AfDB, and WFP were incorporated to enrich the understanding of Liberia's

agricultural challenges and climate vulnerability.

Inclusion Criteria

The following criteria were applied to select relevant studies:

1. Focus on tropical or West African agricultural systems.

2. Research on smallholder farming adaptation to climate change.

3. Climate projections specific to coastal West Africa.

4. Publications from 2011-2024 to capture recent trends.

5. Studies on major Liberian crops such as rice, cassava, maize, and vegetables.

6. Reports directly referencing Liberia or comparable West African contexts.

Exclusion Criteria

The review excluded:

1. Studies focused on temperate or arid regions.

2. Research on large-scale commercial agriculture not relevant to Liberia’s smallholder context.

3. Publications before 2011, unless they were seminal works.

4. Non-peer-reviewed studies or those lacking clear methodologies (except institutional reports).

Data Analysis and Synthesis

A total of 72 sources were analyzed, with key information extracted on:

1. Climate change impacts, including temperature shifts, rainfall variability, drought, flooding, and pest

dynamics.

2. Effects on crop yields.

3. Adaptation strategies, their effectiveness, and challenges to implementation.

4. Applicability to Liberia’s post-conflict agricultural landscape.

The findings were synthesized thematically to identify:

1. Major climate change impacts on tropical agriculture.

2. Proven adaptation strategies from similar regions.

3. Context-appropriate recommendations for Liberia’s agricultural resilience.

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LIMITATIONS

The review primarily draws on regional studies, as there is a limited body of climate-agriculture research

specific to Liberia. While the findings from comparable West African contexts are valuable, local factors such

as soil types, microclimates, and socio-economic conditions may influence the applicability of these strategies.

Further primary research in Liberia is needed to validate and refine these recommendations. This methodology

provides a transparent, replicable framework for understanding the adaptation strategies relevant to Liberia’s

unique agricultural challenges.

Climate Change Indicators for Liberia

Table 1: Climate Change Indicators and Projections for Liberia

Indicator

Current/Observed Trends

Future Projections

Agricultural Implications

Rainfall

variability

Changes in onset; shortened rainy

season; increased extreme rainfall

events

More intense wet seasons; more

pronounced dry spells through

2100

Unpredictable patterns challenge

traditional planting calendars;

increased flood and drought risk

Temperature

increase

Average warming of ~0.27°C per

decade (1991-2020)

Projected warming of ~2.6°C by

the 2060s

Higher heat stress on crops and

livestock; accelerated crop

development; reduced yields

Sea-level rise /

coastal inundation

~60% of Liberians live on or near

coast; rising sea levels observed

Rise of 0.13-0.56 m by 2100 in

coastal zones

Saltwater intrusion; loss of arable

coastal lands; salinization of soils

Annual

precipitation

2,391 mm (2022); historical mean

~2,467 mm (1991-2020)

High variability projected;

overall totals may remain similar

but distribution will change

Timing shifts more critical than total

amounts; adaptation to variability

essential

Sources: Climate Knowledge Portal (World Bank); LDC Climate Change Portal; UNFCCC National

Communications; TheGlobalEconomy.com; ekmsliberia.info

Figure 1: Temperature and Precipitation Trends in Liberia (1991-2024)

Source: Climate Knowledge Portal, World Bank

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Climate Trends

Source: Liberia Meteorological Service; FAO Climate Data

Liberia remains one of the world's wettest countries with annual rainfall exceeding 2,300 mm. Yet, climate

change introduces greater variability in rainfall patterns regarding onset, duration, and intensity, coupled with

rising temperatures (Climate Knowledge Portal, 2024). The warming trend of approximately 0.27°C per

decade may appear modest, but in tropical systems where species and crops have narrow thermal tolerances,

even small temperature shifts significantly impact productivity (Heilmeier, 2019). For Liberian agriculture and

ecosystems, changes in rainfall timing and intensity prove as consequential as changes in total precipitation.

Delayed rainy seasons, heavy rainfall events followed by drought spells, and unpredictable wet-season onset

create substantial challenges for rain-fed agriculture (FAO, 2016).

The large precipitation totals mask critical internal changes: more extreme rainfall events, increased flood risk,

and accelerated soil erosion emerge as pressing concerns (Government of Liberia, 2020). Significant data gaps

persist in year-by-year national values for climate metrics during 2020-2024 remain sparse, and local county-

level climate change monitoring appears limited, highlighting the need for enhanced meteorological

infrastructure and monitoring systems (UNDP, 2023).

Synthesis Of Climate Change Impacts on Liberian Agriculture

Temperature Effects on Crop Productivity

Temperature increases exceeding optimal thresholds for major crops represent a critical concern for Liberian

agriculture. Research on tropical cereal crops indicates that temperature increases of 5°C could reduce maize

yields by up to 40%, while rice yields could decrease by 40.2% with temperature rises of 1-3°C (Mall et al.,

2017; Liu et al., 2020). For Liberia, where rice serves as the primary staple food, such productivity reductions

pose serious food security threats.

According to the World Bank Climate Knowledge Portal (2024), Liberia's average temperatures have risen by

approximately 0.27°C per decade between 1991 and 2020, with further increases of 2.6°C projected by the

2060s under current emission trajectories. While Liberia-specific crop response studies remain limited,

regional research from similar West African tropical systems demonstrates comparable vulnerability

(Campbell et al., 2016).

Elevated temperatures accelerate crop development phases such as seed-filling in cereals, shortening the grain

growth period and producing smaller, less nutrient-dense seeds (Gray and Brady, 2016). Temperature stress

during critical flowering periods, particularly in upland rice systems, can exacerbate yield losses by up to 50%

(Lone et al., 2017). Cassava, though somewhat more heat-resilient than cereals, experiences reduced root

bulking under prolonged high temperatures, diminishing yield potential (Henry, 2019). These temperature-

related stresses represent significant threats to food security in Liberia, where many farmers rely on traditional,

non-irrigated farming systems with limited adaptive capacity.

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Drought and Water Stress

Drought poses a persistent challenge for Liberia's predominantly rain-fed agricultural system. Climate change

increases rainfall unpredictability, with extended dry periods and irregular rainy season onset and cessation

(FAO, 2016). Water scarcity during critical crop growth stages limits agricultural productivity, particularly for

rice, the nation's staple crop.

Studies conducted in neighboring West African countries with similar agricultural systems document that

prolonged dry spells particularly affect upland rice systems dependent solely on rainfall (Masud et al., 2017).

While systematic documentation of farmer experiences in Liberia remains limited, reports from extension

services and development organizations working in the country indicate similar patterns (USAID, 2020; FAO

Liberia, 2021).

Research demonstrates that drought conditions cause significant reductions in rice grain weight, affecting

starch accumulation through reduced gene expression related to sucrose metabolism (Ruan et al., 2010).

Cassava, generally considered drought-tolerant, also experiences yield reductions when prolonged dry

conditions stunt root development (Espeland and Kettenring, 2018). Drought conditions exacerbate soil

salinity, especially in coastal areas where saltwater intrusion damages crops and reduces soil fertility

(Hopmans et al., 2021).

Rainfall Variability and Flooding

Rainfall variability constitutes another major climate change impact affecting Liberian agriculture. While some

regions experience decreased total rainfall, others observe increases in rainfall intensity, creating

heterogeneous impacts across the country (Climate Knowledge Portal, 2024). This variability reduces rainy

season predictability, leading to crop losses and delayed planting decisions.

Agricultural assessments in Liberia's northern counties including Lofa, Nimba, and Bong document

accelerated soil erosion from increasingly intense rainfall events (Government of Liberia MOA, 2019). Intense

rainfall during critical crop development stages causes physical damage to plants, creates favorable conditions

for pest proliferation, and complicates harvest operations (FAO, 2017).

Liberia experienced significant flooding events in recent years that inundated agricultural fields, damaged

crops ready for harvest, and rendered land unsuitable for planting until floodwaters receded (World Bank, 2020;

UNDP Liberia, 2021). While comprehensive national agricultural damage assessments from these specific

events remain incomplete, local reports and humanitarian assessments document substantial crop losses,

particularly in low-lying areas and river valleys.

Coastal areas, particularly in Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount counties, face increasing vulnerability to

saltwater intrusion resulting from sea-level rise and higher tides (UNFCCC, 2018). Development reports and

agricultural assessments document field abandonment in areas where salinization has rendered land unsuitable

for cultivation, resulting in significant losses of productive agricultural land (AfDB, 2016; World Bank, 2019).

Sea-level rise, combined with coastal erosion and more frequent storms, threatens Liberia's agricultural base,

particularly in areas with limited land availability and lower infrastructure resilience.

Pest and Disease Dynamics

Temperature and humidity changes create favorable conditions for agricultural pest proliferation and range

expansion. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive pest from the Americas, arrived in West

Africa in 2016 and has since established itself as a persistent threat to maize and other cereal crops across the

region, including Liberia (FAO, 2017; CABI, 2019). Similarly, cassava pests including mealybugs

(Phenacoccus manihoti) and cassava mosaic disease spread through changing climatic conditions that favor

their survival and reproduction (Legg et al., 2014).

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Climate change-induced high rainfall intensity, particularly affecting upland rice systems, leads to both

waterlogging and subsequent drought stress, negatively affecting crop health and increasing vulnerability to

pests and diseases (Pandey and Choudhary, 2019). Coastal areas witness damaging effects of saltwater

intrusion, which weakens plant health and increases susceptibility to pests and diseases (Hopmans et al., 2021).

Adaptation Strategies for Liberian Agriculture

Based on the synthesis of regional evidence and documented successes in comparable contexts, the following

adaptation strategies show promise for Liberian agriculture. While these strategies draw primarily from West

African and tropical contexts, their effectiveness in Liberia requires validation through pilot programs and

participatory research with local farmers.

Diversification of Crop Varieties and Species

Table 2: Crop Diversification Strategies Applicable to Liberia

Category

Specific

Actions

Description

Implementation Channel

Improved

Climate

Forecasting

Seasonal

climate

forecasts

Develop and disseminate forecasts 1-6

months ahead to guide planting

decisions

Regional climate centers;

national meteorological

service

Flexible Planting

Strategies

Guidance on

actual rainfall

onset

Provide updates on adjusting planting

times based on observed conditions

rather than traditional calendars

Extension services; farmer

field schools

Multiple

Planting Dates

Staggered

planting

Spread risk by planting at multiple

dates; if one planting fails, others may

succeed

Farmer training programs

Early Warning

Systems

Alerts for

extreme weather

Develop SMS, radio, and community-

based alerts for floods, droughts, and

pest outbreaks

Mobile networks;

community radio

Sources: West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL);

AGRHYMET Regional Centre; FAO Climate-Smart Agriculture Guides

Agroforestry and Integrated Farming Systems

Table 4: Agroforestry Benefits and Systems for Liberia

Benefit Category

Mechanism

Description

Climate

Moderation

Trees provide shade,

windbreaks, root systems

Reduce temperature extremes, reduce moisture loss,

improve water infiltration, reduce erosion

Diversified

Income

Multiple products

Provide fruits, timber, fuelwood, fodder; reduce reliance

on annual crops alone

Soil Improvement

Nitrogen-fixing species

Trees like Leucaena, Gliricidia, Acacia improve fertility

through leaf litter and nitrogen fixation

Carbon

Sequestration

Biomass and soil carbon

Sequester atmospheric carbon, contributing to climate

mitigation

Resilience

System diversity

More resilient to climate shocks than monocultures

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Sources: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF, 2020); FAO Agroforestry Guidelines (2019); Trees for Food

Security Project (2021)

Specific Agroforestry Systems for Liberia:

1. Improved fallow systems: Fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing trees during fallow periods enrich soil more

rapidly than natural vegetation

2. Alley cropping: Annual crops grown between rows of periodically pruned trees/shrubs that provide mulch

and nutrients

3. Home gardens: Intensive, multi-story cultivation around homesteads combining trees, vegetables, and

small livestock

4. Cocoa and coffee under shade: Shade trees improve cocoa and coffee performance and resilience

compared to full-sun cultivation

Conservation Agriculture

Table 5: Conservation Agriculture Principles and Practices

Principle

Practice

Benefits

Liberian Context

Reduced

Tillage

Minimize plowing

Preserves soil structure, reduces erosion,

maintains moisture, lowers labor

Particularly beneficial for

farmers using hand tools

Soil Cover

Mulching, cover

crops, crop residues

Protects from erosion, reduces

evaporation, suppresses weeds, adds

organic matter

Requires retention of

residues (not burning)

Crop

Rotation

Alternating crops

Breaks pest cycles, improves fertility

(especially with legumes), spreads risk

Integration of legumes key

Organic

Matter

Increase soil organic

content

Enhances water-holding capacity,

nutrient retention, biological activity

Compost, manure, green

manures

Sources: FAO Conservation Agriculture (2020); African Conservation Tillage Network (ACT, 2021)

Implementation Requirements: Research and demonstration to show farmers the benefits and address

concerns about initial yield reductions during transition to conservation agriculture. Farmer field schools and

long-term support essential.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Table 6: Integrated Pest Management Strategies

IPM Component

Specific Practices

Description

Crop Rotation and

Diversity

Sequential and spatial crop

variation

Disrupts pest life cycles and reduces pest

buildup

Resistant Varieties

Genetically resistant crops

Provides built-in protection, reducing need for

chemical control

Biological Control

Natural enemies, beneficial

organisms

Promotes natural predators through habitat

management

Cultural Practices

Planting date adjustment, field

sanitation

Avoid peak pest periods; remove crop residues

harboring pests

Judicious Pesticide Use

Proper selection, timing, safety

When necessary, train farmers in selection and

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safety

Monitoring and Early

Warning

Pest surveillance systems

Community-based pest scouts; extension

service alerts

Sources: FAO IPM Farmer Field Schools (2019); CABI Plantwise Program (2021)

Climate Information Services

Providing farmers with timely, relevant climate information enables informed decision-making and represents

a critical adaptation strategy (WMO, 2020).

Key Components:

1. Seasonal forecasts: Disseminate rainfall, temperature, and dry spell forecasts 1-6 months ahead through

radio, SMS, farmer groups, and extension services

2. Weather monitoring: Establish community-based weather stations; train local observers to record rainfall,

temperature, and other parameters

3. Advisory services: Translate climate information into practical agricultural advice (when to plant, which

varieties to use, water management strategies)

4. Indigenous knowledge integration: Combine traditional weather prediction methods with scientific

forecasts to create trusted information systems

Soil Fertility Management

Maintaining and improving soil fertility is fundamental to climate resilience (FAO, 2021).

Key Practices:

1. Organic amendments: Promote compost, animal manure, and green manures to improve soil organic

matter, water-holding capacity, and nutrient content

2. Integrated soil fertility management: Combine organic amendments with modest amounts of chemical

fertilizers where accessible

3. Legume integration: Include legumes (cowpea, groundnut, soybean, green manures) in cropping systems

to add nitrogen through biological fixation

4. Erosion control: Implement practices preventing soil loss on sloped lands (contour farming, terracing,

grass strips, vegetation cover)

5. Site-specific management: Recognize that different soils and agroecological zones require different

approaches; tailor guidance to local conditions rather than blanket recommendations

DISCUSSION

The adaptation strategies synthesized in this review derive primarily from experiences in comparable West

African and tropical contexts rather than Liberia-specific empirical research. This limitation reflects the current

state of climate-agriculture research in Liberia, where systematic studies remain scarce compared to countries

like Ghana, Senegal, or Kenya that have more developed agricultural research infrastructure (Binswanger-

Mkhize and Savastano, 2017).

Contextual Factors Affecting Implementation

Several factors influence the applicability and potential effectiveness of these strategies in Liberia:

Post-Conflict Recovery Context: Liberia's agricultural sector continues recovering from prolonged conflict,

with weakened institutions, limited infrastructure, and disrupted knowledge transfer systems (AfDB, 2016).

Adaptation strategies must account for these constraints and build on reconstruction efforts.

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Smallholder Dominance: Most Liberian farmers operate small plots (typically <2 hectares) using hand tools

and limited purchased inputs (Jayne et al., 2010). Adaptation strategies must be appropriate for resource-

constrained smallholders rather than requiring significant capital investment.

Institutional Capacity: Extension services, research institutions, and input supply systems remain

underdeveloped compared to regional peers (Government of Liberia MOA, 2019). Strengthening these systems

must accompany technical adaptation strategies.

Gender Dimensions: Women perform significant agricultural labor in Liberia but face constraints in land

access, credit, and decision-making authority (FAO, 2014). Gender-responsive adaptation approaches are

essential.

Regional Variation: Liberia's diverse agroecological zones, coastal plains, inland valleys, and upland forests

experience different climate impacts and require tailored strategies (CARI, 2015).

Evidence Gaps and Research Needs

This review identifies critical research needs for Liberia:

1. Localized Climate Projections: County-level climate projections and vulnerability assessments to guide

targeted interventions

2. Crop Response Studies: Field trials assessing how major Liberian crops respond to temperature, drought,

and flooding stress under local conditions

3. Adaptation Effectiveness: Participatory research evaluating which adaptation strategies work best for

different farming systems, agroecological zones, and socioeconomic contexts

4. Farmer Knowledge and Practices: Documentation of indigenous adaptation strategies and farmer

innovations

5. Economic Analysis: Cost-benefit analyses of adaptation interventions to guide investment priorities

6. Institutional Analysis: Assessment of extension service capacity, input supply systems, and policy

frameworks affecting adaptation

7. Long-term Monitoring: Establishment of sentinel sites tracking climate trends, crop performance, and

adaptation outcomes over time.

CONCLUSION

This systematic literature review synthesizes evidence on climate change impacts and adaptation strategies

applicable to Liberia's agricultural sector. The synthesis draws on 72 peer-reviewed articles and institutional

reports addressing tropical agriculture under climate change, with particular emphasis on West African

contexts comparable to Liberia.

Climate change poses substantial challenges to Liberian agriculture through multiple pathways: rising

temperatures (projected 2.6°C increase by 2060s), increasingly unpredictable rainfall despite high annual totals

(>2,300 mm), more frequent droughts and floods, expanded pest and disease pressure, and sea-level rise

threatening coastal agriculture (Climate Knowledge Portal, 2024; UNFCCC, 2018). These impacts overlay an

agricultural sector still recovering from prolonged conflict, characterized by subsistence production, limited

infrastructure, weak institutions, and vulnerable smallholder farmers (AfDB, 2016; Government of Liberia

MOA, 2019).

However, the review identifies multiple adaptation strategies with demonstrated effectiveness in comparable

contexts: crop diversification with improved varieties, enhanced water management, climate-informed planting

calendars, agroforestry systems, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, climate information

services, and soil fertility management. These strategies, while drawing primarily from regional rather than

Liberia-specific studies, offer evidence-based pathways for enhancing agricultural resilience.

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Several crosscutting principles emerge from this synthesis:

1. Farmer-Centered Approaches: Climate adaptation must build on farmers' existing knowledge and

priorities while providing new tools and information through participatory processes (Davis et al., 2012).

2. Multi-Stakeholder Coordination: Effective adaptation requires coordinated action across government

agencies, farmers and their organizations, private sector actors, NGOs, and development partners, with

clear roles and coordination mechanisms (Campbell et al., 2016).

3. Equity and Inclusion: Special attention must address vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth,

ensuring they benefit from and participate meaningfully in adaptation efforts (FAO, 2014).

4. Adaptive Management: Adaptation constitutes an ongoing process of learning, adjusting, and

innovating as climate continues changing and new challenges emerge, rather than a one-time intervention

(Smith and Gregory, 2013).

Liberia’s agricultural sector is central to its food security and economic development, but climate change poses

a significant threat. With concerted effort from researchers, policymakers, development partners, and extension

services, Liberia can enhance its agricultural resilience. The key to success lies in building climate resilience

from the start of post-conflict reconstruction and prioritizing climate-smart agriculture, capacity building, and

effective communication. By translating evidence-based strategies into action, Liberia can transform climate

change from a challenge into an opportunity for agricultural innovation and sustainable development.

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