{"id":18249,"date":"2026-06-20T13:03:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/iita-and-partners-make-history-in-liberias-agricultural-transformation\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:51:16","slug":"iita-and-partners-make-history-in-liberias-agricultural-transformation","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/iita-and-partners-make-history-in-liberias-agricultural-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"IITA and partners make history in Liberia\u2019s agricultural transformation"},"content":{"rendered":" \n\n
\"Stakeholders,<\/a>
Stakeholders, Liberia\u2019s Minister of Agriculture, Dr Alexander Nuetah, and seed producers during the seed distribution event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nIITA<\/a>\u2013CGIAR<\/a> and its partners have achieved a historic milestone in Liberia\u2019s agricultural sector through the Seed4Liberia Project. For the first time in the country\u2019s history, breeder seeds of improved IITA cassava varieties were exported in large quantities, used to establish breeder seed fields, and distributed to 27 pioneering foundation seed producers. These seed entrepreneurs will play a pivotal role in developing a sustainable commercial cassava seed system within the formal seed framework introduced by the BASICS-II project.\n\nThe symbolic seed distribution ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including the AfricaRice Center<\/a>, the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), policymakers, farmer cooperatives, seed producers, processors, and development partners across the country’s cassava value chain.\n\n
\"A<\/a>
A female seed producer receiving breeder seed from Liberia\u2019s Minister of Agriculture, Dr Alexander Nuetah.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nLiberia\u2019s Minister of Agriculture, Dr Alexander Nuetah graced the event, underscoring the critical role of private sector engagement in ensuring that research innovations reach farmers sustainably.\n\nThis landmark achievement represents more than the distribution of cassava planting material, rather it reflects a turning point for Liberia\u2019s agricultural transformation. By improving access to quality cassava seeds, the project aims to enhance productivity, strengthen food security, and uplift the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities.\n\n
\"Seed<\/a>
Seed producers, facilitators and participants during the training.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nKey highlights at the event include:\n
    \n \t
  • First-ever breeder seed distribution:<\/strong> Improved IITA cassava varieties made available to 27 foundation seed producers across Liberia.<\/li>\n \t
  • Commercial seed system development:<\/strong> Trained seed entrepreneurs to drive a sustainable cassava seed industry.<\/li>\n \t
  • Private sector commitment<\/strong>: The Minister of Agriculture emphasized the importance of market-driven approaches to research and innovation.<\/li>\n \t
  • Collaboration and partnership:<\/strong> The event demonstrated the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration in shaping Liberia\u2019s agricultural future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    Empowering seed producers in Liberia<\/h5>\nAs part of the initiative, IITA organized a technical and business training program for seed producers under the EU-funded Seed4Liberia project. The training was designed to equip Liberian seed producers with the skills required to meet the demands of a modern seed industry while ensuring profitability and sustainability.\n\nModules included:\n
      \n \t
    • Early-generation seed production technologies<\/li>\n \t
    • Seed health and quality assurance<\/li>\n \t
    • Seed regulatory frameworks<\/li>\n \t
    • Seed business development and financial management<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBy leveraging innovative seed system instruments pioneered in Nigeria and Tanzania under the BASICS-II project, Liberian seed producers are now positioned to scale their operations, improve profitability, and contribute significantly to national food security.\n\nThe adoption of these systems will also promote sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring both environmental conservation and improved farmer livelihoods.\n\nContributed by Mercy Diebiru-Ojo<\/em>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      IITA-CGIAR and its partners have achieved a historic milestone in Liberia\u2019s agricultural sector through the Seed4Liberia Project. For the first time in the country\u2019s history, breeder seeds of improved IITA cassava<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":18250,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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