Agriculture Ministry, IFAD Launch STAR-P/ISLA Start-Up Workshop to Boost Farmer Resilience and Accountability
The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has officially launched a three-day Start-Up Workshop for the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) and its new component, the Investing in Livelihood Resilience and Soil Health (ISLA) initiative.
The event, held at the Corina Hotel in Sinkor, brings together key actors from the agriculture sector including representatives from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), agricultural cooperatives, and IFAD staff, to align strategies for scaling up sustainable agriculture and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Liberia.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that every project under the Ministry delivers tangible results for the Liberian people. He cautioned implementing partners against delays and inefficiency, stressing that strict accountability and performance standards will guide this new phase of STAR-P/ISLA.
Dr. Nuetah emphasized, “If an entity has a task to complete and fails to do so, we will remove it. There will be no room for delays.” He also mentioned that the Ministry would not approve any extensions to project timelines unless there was a new financing agreement for additional activities. He highlighted that Liberia’s agriculture sector was embarking on a new phase marked by transparency, efficiency, and collaboration to support the government's objectives of food self-sufficiency and rural development.
Dr. Nuetah also emphasized the progress made through existing IFAD-supported initiatives, such as the Tree Crops Extension Projects (TCEP) and the Building Climate Resilience Project (BCRP). He cited the 2024 World Bank Climate Report on Liberia, which attributes part of the nation’s 4% economic growth, including 1.3% from agriculture to the effects of these projects.
“We want to thank IFAD for the continued support and collaboration,” Dr. Nuetah added. “The Ministry of Agriculture remains committed to delivering on our shared vision of empowering farmers, restoring soil health, and improving the livelihoods of rural communities.”
For her part, Madame Pascaline Barankeba, IFAD’s Country Director, described STAR-P and ISLA as milestone initiatives in transforming rural livelihoods and supporting future generations of Liberian farmers.
“The first phase of STAR-P left a strong foundation through strengthening value chains, improving rural community development, and expanding market access,” Madame Barankeba stated. “With this new phase, we will build on those achievements to boost productivity, restore soil health, and reduce climate vulnerability through sustainable land management and climate-smart agriculture.”
She noted that the new phase will focus on rice, oil palm, and vegetable production — key value chains essential to food security, nutrition, and income generation.
“Strengthening these value chains, balancing food sovereignty, increasing income generation and nutrition, Liberia can reduce import dependency and create rural jobs and a more resilient and inclusive economy,” she added.
STAR-P/ISLA Project Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Marvie, said the workshop provides an opportunity to reset and refocus project implementation by engaging all stakeholders in interactive discussions on lessons learned, priorities, and next steps.
“This workshop is a space for reflection and renewal,” Mr. Marvie noted. “It allows us to review past implementation strategies and chart a way forward that ensures greater impact and sustainability.”
The ISLA initiative, funded by IFAD under the STAR-P framework, aims to promote livelihood resilience, restore soil fertility, and advance sustainable land management through climate-smart agriculture. It complements the broader STAR-P objectives of strengthening value chains, empowering smallholder farmers, and expanding market opportunities.
The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to working closely with IFAD, the World Bank, and other development partners to implement the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) and achieve Liberia’s long-term vision of a modern, resilient, and self-sufficient agriculture sector that drives economic growth and improves the lives of farmers nationwide
