The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Liberia is responsible for the development of the agriculture sector.  It does so by ensuring that an effective organizational structure is put in place and is manned by staff capable of planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating agricultural development programs from time to time.  It also ensures that its staff and the farmers are trained to cope with the challenges of the agricultural activities. 

Additionally, the Ministry ensures that agricultural problems that impede production are investigated and lasting solutions found, and the farmers are provided the supportive services and the enabling environment to produce.

The Ministry’s core general areas of responsibility will most probably continue to consist of: agriculture, both smallholder and commercial; plantation crops; fisheries; and livestock.

Agriculture’s contribution to the economy is sufficiently important for its recovery to be crucial to Government’s declared goal of changing from a low-income developing country to a middle-income, medium human development country by 2015.    In 2007, agriculture contributed 61.5% to the GDP of the country.  Principal exports were rubber, US$170.9 million, cocoa and coffee US$1.3 million, others, (gold & diamonds) accounted for US$6.8 million

In 2006/2007 a comprehensive assessment of the Agricultural sector in Liberia (CAAS-LIB) was conducted to identify the problems, constraints, challenges and opportunities of the sector and to make recommendation for the way forward. The completed assessment identified the problems and constraints in the sector, which have direct linkage with the low nature of productivity of the sector and food insecurity in most parts of the country. The CAAS-LIB recommended among other things the formulation of an agricultural Policy and Strategy document that will guide the actions of the sector over time.

To date, the policy and strategy document of the sector has been completed and is awaiting publication. The document looked at the importance of the sector to national growth and development, the problems, constraints and challenges facing the sector and formulated the goal and specific objectives of the sector. To achieve the goal and objectives, some key policy issues were discussed in the context of government responses to strategy objectives and action plans, mainly in the following areas:

·         Pro poor agriculture and agric business development.

·         Food and Nutrition Security

·         Human and Institutional Capacity

While all of these were going on, the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) document, which is the government’s development plan for the next three years March 2008 – February 2011, was also developed and activities are being carried out.

The Food and Agriculture sector is one of the working groups under the economic revitalization pillar of the PRS, and as such had to develop the Food and Agriculture sector   component of a three year National Development Plan that will conform to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of 2015.

In an attempt to achieve these objectives a lot of strategic action plans were formulated to stimulate pro poor agriculture growth, enhance food security and build capacity in the sector.

Our Vision, Mission and Operating Principles

OUR VISION

A Self-sufficient in stapples, Self-reliant and Sustainable Agricultural Sector

by the year 2015

OUR MISSION

We believe that a modernized, sustainable and decentralised agricultural system

is key to poverty reduction.

Our mission is to create an enabling environment for a more dynamic and vibrant agricultural sector that is inclusive and shared to ensure sustainable food security and employment opportunities for all Liberians

OUR OPERATING PRINCIPLES

Excellence and professionalism:  We shall strive to achieve the highest standards in service delivery and shall actively explore opportunities to improve on those standards. We shall also ensure that performance management, as a service delivery culture, will be integrated into all our operations.

Commitment:  We commit ourselves to be an effective agent of agricultural transformation and, therefore, will embrace a culture of customer service. The farmer, service providers and all our stakeholders will be central to our operations

Diligence and Courtesy:  We shall be at our places of work during official hours of duty and shall diligently devote ourselves wholly to our work.  We shall treat all our valued clients and colleagues with courtesy.

Integrity:  We shall uphold high moral integrity in the provision of our services.  To this effect, we shall refrain from seeking, offering or accepting favors or inducements, financial or otherwise, in the course of discharging our duties.  We shall not use public property or official time to fulfill private needs; and we shall not use information acquired in the course of official duties to gain personal advantage. 

Gender Equity:  Taking cognizance of the key role of women in production and marketing of agricultural products, we shall endeavor to promote gender sensitive practices and culture within our staff and the wider agricultural stakeholders.

Partnership-Building:  We will promote and embrace partnerships and participatory processes in policy formulation and implementation of our activities.  Active participation of our stakeholders, especially the private sector and grassroots communities, will enhance ownership of programs and projects.

Accountability and Transparency: We shall be accountable and transparent to the Government and to the people we serve.

Efficiency and Responsiveness:  We will serve our clientele in an efficient manner, ensuring that all requests are dealt with as promptly as possible.