Government of Liberia, EU, and IFAD Invest €5 Million to Boost Soil Health and Livelihood Resilience
Monrovia, 11 November 2025} – The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture, the European Union (EU), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have officially launched the Investing in Livelihood Resilience and Soil Health in ACP Countries (ILSA) program, a transformative €5 million initiative aimed at restoring soil health, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers across Liberia.
The launch ceremony, held at the Agriculture Ministry, marked a significant milestone in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen food systems, boost rural livelihoods, and build climate resilience through sustainable agricultural practices.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Nona Deprez, Ambassador of the European Union to Liberia, reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to Liberia’s agricultural transformation:
Through the ILSA program, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Liberia’s agricultural systems and to supporting smallholder farmers in building climate-resilient livelihoods. By investing in soil health and sustainable farming practices, we are not only protecting Liberia’s natural resources but also empowering farmers, especially women and youth, to lead the country’s transition toward a more inclusive and green economy. This project keeps alive the global climate commitments we made ten years ago in Paris.”
Ms. Pascaline Barankeba, IFAD Country Director, highlighted that ILSA will play a central role in promoting sustainable and inclusive growth across rural Liberia:
“Resilient food systems begin with healthy soils, empowered communities, and inclusive rural economies. Through this project, IFAD will establish 100 model farms, support youth-led green enterprises, and strengthen national soil laboratories, laying the groundwork for lasting rural transformation.”
Launching the project, Agriculture Minister, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, commended the EU and IFAD for their continued partnership and expressed the government’s full commitment to ensuring accountability and results throughout implementation:
“I want to thank IFAD and the EU for this collaboration. Liberia has received the highest allocation under ILSA—€5 million, targeting over 5,300 beneficiaries. This is a major step in the right direction. As we move forward with implementation, I assure our partners that every euro will be spent effectively and that beneficiaries across the country will feel the impact. We will ensure strong oversight through regular steering committee meetings and field visits to track progress.”
The ILSA program builds on the achievements of ongoing EU- and IFAD-supported projects such as the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) and the EU-funded From Product to Production: Peer-to-Peer (P2P) initiative. These programs have been instrumental in enhancing agricultural value chains, strengthening seed systems for rice, cassava, coffee, soybean, and fish, and improving standards, certification, and quality assurance through the Liberia Standards Authority.
The new ILSA project will further support Liberia’s transition toward sustainable agriculture by promoting reduced use of chemical inputs, improving soil fertility, strengthening market linkages, and advancing gender inclusion and youth participation through eco-friendly agribusiness ventures. It will also benefit horticulture and tree crop farmers, particularly those cultivating fruits, palm, and other non-timber forest products, by promoting agroforestry, crop diversification, and local production of biofertilizers and biopesticides.
The ILSA initiative underscores the strong and enduring partnership between the European Union, the Government of Liberia, and IFAD in advancing the country’s path toward a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural sector, contributing directly to food security, climate adaptation, and economic growth.
