Washington, DC April 20, 2024  - Agriculture Minister J. Alexander Nuetah, Ph.D. held successful meetings with the Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and CGIAR Regional Director for Africa,  Mr. Simeon K. Ehui, on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C..

According to a dispatch from the United States,  the conversation was initiated for support to developing the cassava value chain in Liberia.

Since taking over as Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Nuetah has prioritized ensuring that  Liberia's agricultural sector becomes sustainable  and enhances value addition by
focusing on and investing in the entire value chain for wealth and job creation, economic growth, social development, and poverty mitigation.

During the meeting, Minister Nuetah discussed the potential of the cassava value chain in Liberia. He emphasized the importance of developing a sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector that can contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction in the country, in fulfillment  of the ARREST Agenda.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and CGIAR, as global leaders in agricultural research and development, expressed their commitment to supporting Liberia in this endeavor. They offered their expertise and resources to assist in the development of the cassava value chain, including research, technology transfer, capacity building, and policy advice.

Both parties agreed that collaboration and partnership are crucial for the success of this initiative. They discussed the possibility of jointly implementing pilot projects, sharing knowledge and best practices, and mobilizing funding from international organizations and donors.

Minister Nuetah expressed his gratitude for the support and partnership of IITA and CGIAR. He highlighted the importance of their collaboration in achieving Liberia's agricultural development goals and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture, IITA, and CGIAR. All parties expressed optimism about the potential impact of the collaboration and the prospects for the sustainable development of the cassava value chain in Liberia.

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