Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network

25/07/2025

Ministry of Agriculture Donates Locally Produced Rice to PWDs in B**g County

Power by Josiah Pailay

25/07/2025

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞!
The Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) is looking for Volunteer County Coordinators in:
🌿 Grand Gedeh
🌿 Grand Kru
🌿 Sinoe
🌿 Rivercess
🌿 Grand Bassa

Are you passionate about agriculture, climate change, and environmental reporting? Do you want to help amplify local voices and drive change through the power of the media? Then this opportunity is for you!

Become part of a dynamic network of journalists dedicated to highlighting the most pressing agricultural and environmental issues across Liberia.
🕒 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞:
https://laejnet.org/wp-content/uploads/filr/2413/VACANCY%20ANNOUNCEMENT.docx
Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia Association of Liberia Community Radio (ALICOR) Female Journalists Association of Liberia SAM TV U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia World Bank PIU - MOA Liberia

25/07/2025

The Government of Liberia, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), key financial institutions, and international development partners, has officially launched Cohort V of the Liberia Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Growth Accelerator Program. This milestone underscores the nation’s unwavering commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, economic diversification, and inclusive growth.

The focus on women-led MSMEs, including those in the agriculture sector, is a strategic move to tackle gender-based inequalities and unlock untapped economic potential in Liberia. Women face systemic barriers—especially in agriculture—such as limited access to land, finance, and markets. Yet they contribute significantly to food production and are more likely to reinvest profits into their families and communities.

Empowering women-led businesses boosts food security, community resilience, and inclusive economic growth. It also aligns with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda and global development goals, positioning the country to attract support from international partners. This approach makes gender equity not just a moral imperative but a catalyst for national development.
iCampus Liberia UNDP Liberia FAO Liberia European Union in Liberia

Press Release Monrovia, Liberia —The Government of Liberia, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), key financial institutions, and international development partners, has officially launched Cohort V of the Liberia Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Growth A...

23/07/2025

“We Want Agriculture and Environmental Specialists, Not Just Journalists” LAEJN’s Jefferson Togbah Massah Urges a Shift in Media Focus

Staff writer ✍️

The Executive Director of the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN), Jefferson Togbah Massah, is calling for a transformation in the media landscape urging a shift from general journalism to specialized reporting in agriculture and the environment.

Speaking as a guest on the Super Morning Show on ELBC Radio Wednesday July 23, 2025 , Massah stressed the importance of building a corps of trained professionals who understand and can accurately report on critical issues such as food security, climate change, and sustainable agriculture.

“We want to create a system of agriculture and environmental specialists, not just journalists,” Massah declared. “Liberia’s development depends heavily on how well we communicate issues surrounding climate, food security, and sustainable farming.”

He noted that LAEJN is actively working to bridge the gap between scientific research and public awareness.

According to Mr. Massah, the Media Network is encouraging stronger collaboration among journalists, agricultural experts, training institutions, and policymakers to strengthen public knowledge and drive national development.

The LAEJN boss expressed hope for a future where every Liberian begins to appreciate the value of agriculture not just in practice, but in daily discourse. “I want to see a country where every Liberian thinks about going to the soil, talks about the soil, and values agriculture,” he said.

He also called on media professionals to step up efforts in raising awareness about agriculture and environmental issues, highlighting the urgent need for storytelling that inspires action.

Furthermore, he appealed to the Government of Liberia and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to work closely with LAEJN in creating a vibrant agricultural system.

“Let’s eat what we grow and grow what we eat,” Massah added, emphasizing the importance of food self-sufficiency.
He concluded by encouraging more journalists across Liberia to join the network, stating revealed that although LAEJN already has members in more than eight counties, plans are underway to expand its reach and strengthen its presence in all fifteen counties of Liberia.

21/07/2025

As part of strong commitment aimed at revitalizing Liberia’s agriculture sector, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has resumed and strengthened subsector coordination efforts through the reactivation of its Agriculture Coordination Committee (ACC). This strategic initiative, led by Mr. Peter D. Gbawoquiya, Director for Sectional Coordination at the Ministry, is designed to align stakeholders, improve efficiency, and address long-standing structural challenges within the sector.

https://laejnet.org/ministry-of-agriculture-strengthens-subsector-coordination-to-drive-sector-reform

Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia FAO Liberia UNDP Liberia World Bank PIU - MOA Liberia The Africa Food Systems Forum - AGRF U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia Solidaridad West Africa

By LAEJN Editorial Team Monrovia, Liberia – As part of strong commitment aimed at revitalizing Liberia’s agriculture sector, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has resumed and strengthened subsector coordination efforts through the reactivation of its Agriculture Coordination Committee (ACC). Thi...

21/07/2025

https://laejnet.org/from-loss-to-livelihood-female-farmers-thrive-with-star-p-support-in-nimba
In a compelling success story of rural empowerment, the Kwakehseh Rural Women Cooperative in Nimba County is celebrating a transformation, as a result of a partnership with the Smallholder Agricultural Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR- P), a government-led initiative supported by the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Once struggling with high post-harvest losses and limited market access, the female-led farming cooperative now thrives—crediting STAR-P for not only improving their agricultural output but also increasing their income and impoving their livelihood.

Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia FAO Liberia World Bank PIU - MOA Liberia The Africa Food Systems Forum - AGRF Cerath Development Organization International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia UK in Liberia - British Embassy, Monrovia Africa Rice Center

By LAEJN Editorial Team NIMBA COUNTY –In a compelling success story of rural empowerment, the Kwakehseh Rural Women Cooperative in Nimba County is celebrating a transformation, as a result of a partnership with the Smallholder Agricultural Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (ST...

17/07/2025

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝: 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑-𝐏 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚

In a compelling success story of rural empowerment, the Kwakehseh Rural Women Cooperative in Nimba County is celebrating a transformation, as a result of a partnership with the Smallholder Agricultural Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR- P), a government-led initiative funded by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) .

Once struggling with high post-harvest losses and limited market access, the female-led farming cooperative now thrives—crediting STAR-P for not only improving their agricultural output but also increasing their income and improving their livelihood.

“STAR-P did not just give us equipment—it gave us a future,” said Mrs. Olivia Williams, Chairperson of the cooperative. “We’ve moved from watching our produce rot to becoming a model for farming excellence in our community”, she added.
Before the intervention of the STAR Project, the Kwakehseh group had fewer than 150 members. Today, its membership has grown to 350—250 of whom are women. The cooperative now serves as a beacon of gender-inclusive agribusiness, creating opportunities not only for women but also for men and youth.

Through the STAR-P grant, the group procured a 6 ton mini-truck, several motorbikes, and constructed a modern warehouse, drastically reducing their losses after harvest.

“We used to pay L$300 just to move a 50kg bag of cabbage to the main road, and even then, much of it would spoil,” Williams recounted. “Now, using the vehicle that was bought for us, we move produce efficiently and preserve its quality.”

The cooperative’s transformation goes far beyond equipment. STAR-Project has delivered hands-on training in climate-smart agriculture, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, gender inclusion, record keeping, and cooperative management. These skills have empowered the farmers to better align planting cycles with weather patterns and keep accurate financial records—practices once foreign to many of them.

“The knowledge we’ve gained is priceless,” said Saye G. Bayou, the group’s General Secretary. “Climate-smart farming changed our approach to agriculture. We are no longer guessing—we’re planning.”

With improved logistics and training, the cooperative now produces a variety of crops, including pepper, cabbage, bitter ball, and Liberia’s staple, rice. Their weekly workday—held every Thursday—brings together nearly all members to share responsibilities, manage logistics, and support one another.
The impact extends to the wider community as well. Even unaffiliated farmers now benefit from the cooperative’s transportation services at affordable rates, allowing smaller community producers access to market.

Additionally, the group has launched a village savings and loan association, providing members with access to small loans—boosting economic independence and financial resilience.
“With the income we now earn, our members are sending children to school, building homes, and living more dignified lives,” Williams added.
Despite their progress, the Kwakehseh Rural Women Cooperative is calling on the Ministry of Agriculture and STAR-P to expand its support to more smallholder groups, particularly in under-served rural areas.
“Empowerment works—but we need more of it,” said Bayou. “The more smallholder groups you empower, the greater the national food production will be.”

From a struggling farming group led mainly by women, to a thriving agricultural cooperative, the story of Kwakehseh Rural Women highlights the power of strategic investment, targeted training, and inclusive development.

As STAR-P continues to roll out across Liberia, stories like this underline a critical truth: when rural women are empowered, entire communities rise.
Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia World Bank PIU - MOA Liberia UNDP Liberia FAO Liberia

14/07/2025

https://laejnet.org/star-p-grant-transforms-sapm-partnership-farm-from-subsistence-to-mechanized-production

The Seinjeh Agricultural Production and Marketing (SAPM) Partnership Farm, once a modest subsistence-level operation in Senjeh District, Bomi County, has emerged as a model for mechanized, market-driven agriculture—thanks to transformative support from the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P), implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia with funding from the World Bank Africa and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

According to Mohammed Dukley, Operations Manager of SAMP Partnership Farm, the STAR-P matching grant has significantly elevated the farm’s infrastructure, capacity, and overall productivity. “When it comes to infrastructure enhancing our work, we are very well seated and okay,” said Dukley, expressing satisfaction with the level of support received under the STAR-P initiative. “We now have the essential infrastructure in place—modern processing equipment, reliable storage facilities, and access to mechanized tools. These improvements have completely changed the way we operate, making our work more efficient, less labor-intensive, and far more productive.” Dukley remarked.

FAO Liberia World Bank PIU - MOA Liberia Solidaridad West Africa FAO Liberia UNDP Liberia Climate Smart Food Working Group (CSFWG) European Union in Liberia

By: Richard Williams/0775339618/ 0881084573/ [email protected] The Seinjeh Agricultural Production and Marketing (SAPM) Partnership Farm, once a modest subsistence-level operation in Senjeh District, Bomi County, has emerged as a model for mechanized, market-driven agriculture—thanks to...

08/07/2025

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭, 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝

We're thrilled to present the latest issue of Agri-Journal, your gateway to insightful stories and updates from Liberia's agricultural landscape. In this June 2025 edition, we have feature articles and exclusive interviews with agricultural experts shaping our nation's future.

Whether you're a farmer, policymaker, or simply passionate about sustainable development, Agri-Journal is your essential companion.

Please share your feedbacks, experiences, and stories with us for a chance to be featured in an upcoming edition! Together, we can celebrate progress and drive meaningful change in the agricultural sector.
Send your stories and thoughts to [email protected] —we can't wait to hear from you! Click this link to download the newsletter: https://laejnet.org/impact-reports
Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia iCampus Liberia World Bank PIU - MOA Liberia World Bank Africa International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) UNDP Liberia European Union in Liberia UK in Liberia - British Embassy, Monrovia The Africa Food Systems Forum - AGRF Solidaridad West Africa Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Growth Accelerator Liberia ActionAid Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa - FARA Farm Radio International - Radios Rurales Internationales

Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network

07/07/2025

Ahead of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s highly anticipated visit to Washington, D.C. for the Special African Summit on Commerce and Trade, the National Rice Federation of Liberia has issued a passionate appeal urging the Liberian leader to prioritize discussions on the revival of crucial U.S.-funded agricultural programs that were recently terminated. Read more on this article.

https://laejnet.org/national-rice-federation-urges-president-boakai-to-advocate-for-reinstatement-of-u-s-agricultural-support
Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia FAO Liberia World Bank PIU - MOA Liberia UNDP Liberia U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia U.S. State Department - OES Executive Mansion-Liberia

Press Release Monrovia, July 7, 2025 — Ahead of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s highly anticipated visit to Washington, D.C. for the Special African Summit on Commerce and Trade, the National Rice Federation of Liberia has issued a passionate appeal urging the Liberian leader to prioritize discu...

07/07/2025

📣 It’s Farmer Market Day!
Come for the freshness, stay for the flavors! 🍅🥬🍍
🌽 Locally grown. 🥕 Farm fresh. 🐓 Straight to your basket.
🗓️ 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟏,𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 -𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 -𝟔𝐩𝐦 I 📍 Invincible Sports Park,
👩🏾‍🌾 Support your local farmers. Bring your bags & your appetite!


World Bank PIU - MOA Liberia Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia FAO Liberia European Union in Liberia Embassy of Sweden in MonroviaSolidaridad West Africa International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Solidaridad West Africa Women in Agriculture for Sustainable Development Purukpeh Agriculture Farm International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) GROW Liberia Growth Accelerator Liberia Growing SEEDS Foundation Liberia Inc.