Agricultural Dynamics in Liberia: Current Issues and Solutions

Agriculture serves as a fundamental pillar of Liberia's economy, yet the sector faces numerous challenges that hinder its potential for growth and development. Many of these constraints are, post-conflict reconstruction needs, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to improved seeds and fertilizers, land tenure insecurity, insufficient extension services, vulnerability to climate change, poor market access, deforestation and environmental degradation, lack of mechanization, inadequate credit facilities, pest and disease outbreaks, and limited post-harvest storage facilities are shared across post-conflict and fragile states in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This review examines Liberia as a case study illustrating how context-specific solutions can address common agricultural development challenges in similar settings. By analyzing Liberia's experience, this paper offers insights transferable to other low-income, post-conflict agrarian economies while proposing evidence-based interventions adapted to local conditions. The analysis draws on agricultural transformation theory and sustainable livelihoods framework to understand how asset constraints, institutional factors, and policy environments shape agricultural outcomes in post-conflict settings.

Agriculture; Liberia; Food Security

1. African Development Bank (AfDB). (2016). Liberia Country Strategy Paper 2013-2017. Abidjan: African Development Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Akpo, E., Crane, T.A., Vissoh, P.V., & Tossou, R.C. (2015). The Contribution of Participatory Action Research to Extension Services in West Africa. International Journal of Agricultural Extension, 3(2): 125-135. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Alie, J.A.D. (2008). A New History of Sierra Leone. Macmillan Publishers. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Anríquez, G., & Stamoulis, K. (2007). Rural Development and Poverty Reduction: Is Agriculture Still the Key? Electronic Journal of Agricultural and Development Economics, 4(1): 5-46. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Badiane, O. (2011). Agriculture and Structural Transformation in Africa. Stanford Symposium Series on Global Food Policy and Food Security in the 21st Century. Stanford University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Benson, T., Mugarura, S., & Wanda, K. (2008). Impacts in Uganda of Rising Global Food Prices: The Role of Diversified Staples and Limited Price Transmission. Agricultural Economics, 39(supplement): 513-524. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Binswanger-Mkhize, H.P., & Savastano, S. (2017). Agricultural Intensification: The Status in Six African Countries. Food Policy, 67: 26-40. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Bromley, D.W. (2008). Formalising Property Relations in the Developing World: The Wrong Prescription for the Wrong Malady. Land Use Policy, 26(1): 20-27. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Brooks, J., Croppenstedt, A., & Aggrey-Fynn, E. (2009). Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Ghana. Agricultural Distortions Working Paper 47. World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Carletto, C., Savastano, S., & Zezza, A. (2013). Fact or Artifact: The Impact of Measurement Errors on the Farm Size-Productivity Relationship. Journal of Development Economics, 103: 254-261. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI). (2015). Strategic Plan 2015-2020. Suakoko, Liberia: Ministry of Agriculture. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Christiaensen, L., Demery, L., & Kuhl, J. (2011). The (Evolving) Role of Agriculture in Poverty Reduction: An Empirical Perspective. Journal of Development Economics, 96(2): 239-254. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Dawe, D., Pandey, S., & Nelson, A. (2010). Emerging Trends and Spatial Patterns of Rice Production. In S. Pandey et al. (eds.), Rice in the Global Economy: Strategic Research and Policy Issues for Food Security. Los Baños: International Rice Research Institute. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Davis, K., Nkonya, E., Kato, E., Mekonnen, D.A., Odendo, M., Miiro, R., & Nkuba, J. (2012). Impact of Farmer Field Schools on Agricultural Productivity and Poverty in East Africa. World Development, 40(2): 402-413. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Deininger, K., & Byerlee, D. (2011). Rising Global Interest in Farmland: Can it Yield Sustainable and Equitable Benefits? Washington, DC: World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Dercon, S., & Gollin, D. (2014). Agriculture in African Development: Theories and Strategies. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 6: 471-492. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Diao, X., Hazell, P., & Thurlow, J. (2010). The Role of Agriculture in African Development. World Development, 38(10): 1375-1383. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Dorward, A., Fan, S., Kydd, J., Lofgren, H., Morrison, J., Poulton, C., Rao, N., Smith, L., Tchale, H., Thorat, S., Urey, I., & Wobst, P. (2004). Institutions and Policies for Pro-Poor Agricultural Growth. Development Policy Review, 22(6): 611-622. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Ellis, F. (2005). Small Farms, Livelihood Diversification, and Rural-Urban Transitions: Strategic Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa. Paper presented at The Future of Small Farms Workshop, Wye College, June 26-29, 2005. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Fan, S., & Rue, C. (2020). The Role of Smallholder Farms in a Changing World. In S. Gomez y Paloma, L. Riesgo, & K. Louhichi (eds.), The Role of Smallholder Farms in Food and Nutrition Security. Springer. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2014). Liberia: Country Programming Framework 2013-2017. Monrovia: FAO. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2016). Climate Change and Food Security: Risks and Responses. Rome: FAO. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2017). The Future of Food and Agriculture: Trends and Challenges. Rome: FAO. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2018). Transforming Food and Agriculture to Achieve the SDGs. Rome: FAO. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Government of Liberia. (2008). Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey (CFSNS). Monrovia: Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Government of Liberia. (2012). Agenda for Transformation: Steps Toward Liberia Rising 2030. Monrovia: Republic of Liberia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Government of Liberia. (2018). Land Rights Act. Monrovia: Republic of Liberia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Government of Liberia, Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). (2019). National Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (NASIP) 2018-2022. Monrovia: Ministry of Agriculture. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Government of Liberia. (2020). Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) 2018-2023. Monrovia: Republic of Liberia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Hazell, P., Poulton, C., Wiggins, S., & Dorward, A. (2010). The Future of Small Farms: Trajectories and Policy Priorities. World Development, 38(10): 1349-1361. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Jayne, T.S., Mather, D., & Mghenyi, E. (2010). Principal Challenges Confronting Smallholder Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. World Development, 38(10): 1384-1398. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Koning, N., & Pinstrup-Andersen, P. (2007). Agricultural Trade Liberalization and the Least Developed Countries. Dordrecht: Springer. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Lambrecht, I., Vanlauwe, B., Merckx, R., & Maertens, M. (2014). Understanding the Process of Agricultural Technology Adoption: Mineral Fertilizer in Eastern DR Congo. World Development, 59: 132-146. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Liverpool-Tasie, L.S.O. (2017). Is Fertilizer Use Inconsistent with Expected Profit Maximization in Sub-Saharan Africa? Journal of Agricultural Economics, 68(1): 22-44. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Lobell, D.B., Burke, M.B., Tebaldi, C., Mastrandrea, M.D., Falcon, W.P., & Naylor, R.L. (2008). Prioritizing Climate Change Adaptation Needs for Food Security in 2030. Science, 319(5863): 607-610. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Mano, Y., Yamano, T., Suzuki, A., & Matsumoto, T. (2011). Local and Personal Networks in Employment and the Development of Labor Markets: Evidence from the Cut Flower Industry in Ethiopia. World Development, 39(10): 1760-1770. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Masters, W.A., Djurfeldt, A.A., De Haan, C., Hazell, P., Jayne, T., Jirström, M., & Reardon, T. (2013). Urbanization and Farm Size in Asia and Africa: Implications for Food Security and Agricultural Research. Global Food Security, 2(3): 156-165. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Minten, B., Koru, B., & Stifel, D. (2013). The Last Mile(s) in Modern Input Distribution: Pricing, Profitability, and Adoption. Agricultural Economics, 44(6): 629-646. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Moritz, M., Ritchey, K., & Kari, S. (2011). The Social Context of Herding Contracts in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Journal of Modern African Studies, 49(2): 263-285. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Muriithi, B.W., & Matz, J.A. (2015). Welfare Effects of Vegetable Commercialization: Evidence from Smallholder Producers in Kenya. Food Policy, 50: 80-91. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Poulton, C., Kydd, J., & Dorward, A. (2006). Overcoming Market Constraints on Pro-Poor Agricultural Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Development Policy Review, 24(3): 243-277. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Reardon, T., & Timmer, C.P. (2007). Transformation of Markets for Agricultural Output in Developing Countries Since 1950: How Has Thinking Changed? In R. Evenson & P. Pingali (eds.), Handbook of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 3. Amsterdam: Elsevier. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Ricker-Gilbert, J., Jayne, T.S., & Chirwa, E. (2011). Subsidies and Crowding Out: A Double-Hurdle Model of Fertilizer Demand in Malawi. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 93(1): 26-42. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Sheahan, M., & Barrett, C.B. (2017). Ten Striking Facts About Agricultural Input Use in Sub-Saharan Africa. Food Policy, 67: 12-25. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Swinnen, J., & Maertens, M. (2007). Globalization, Privatization, and Vertical Coordination in Food Value Chains in Developing and Transition Countries. Agricultural Economics, 37(s1): 89-102. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Takeshima, H., & Liverpool-Tasie, L.S.O. (2015). Fertilizer Subsidies, Political Influence, and Local Food Prices in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Nigeria. Food Policy, 54: 11-24. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Timmer, C.P. (2009). A World Without Agriculture: The Structural Transformation in Historical Perspective. Washington, DC: AEI Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2015). Liberia: National Human Development Report 2015. Monrovia: UNDP. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. United States Agency for International Development (USAID). (2016). Liberia Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment. Washington, DC: USAID. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. Valentinov, V. (2007). Why Are Cooperatives Important in Agriculture? An Organizational Economics Perspective. Journal of Institutional Economics, 3(1): 55-69. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. World Bank. (2007). World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development. Washington, DC: World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. World Bank. (2013). Growing Africa: Unlocking the Potential of Agribusiness. Washington, DC: World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

53. World Bank. (2016). Liberia: Systematic Country Diagnostic. Washington, DC: World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

54. World Bank. (2017). Enabling the Business of Agriculture 2017. Washington, DC: World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

55. World Bank. (2020). Liberia Economic Update: Building on Recovery. Washington, DC: World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

56. World Food Programme (WFP). (2018). Liberia Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey. Monrovia: WFP. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Breeding for a Greener Future: Selective Breeding and Crossbreeding Approaches to Minimize Methane Emissions in Ruminant Livestock
• Determinants of Adoption of Post-Harvest Losses Prevention Techniques among Banana/Plantain Marketers in Lagos State, Nigeria
• Enhancing Rice Yield Prediction Using UAV-Based Multispectral Imaging and Machine Learning Algorithms
• Seed-Borne Fungi of Groundnuts (Arachis Hypogaea) and Their Management with Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Extract In Makurdi, Nigeria
• The Influence of Landforms and Slope on Agricultural Cropping Patterns in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District