His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, Chairperson of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), embarked on a pivotal three-day visit to Liberia in May 2025, advocating for a transformative shift in the nation’s agricultural landscape. The central message resonating from his engagements with Liberian officials was a clarion call for increased budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Mr. Boshe underscored the significance of allocating at least 10% of the national budget to agriculture, emphasizing that this financial commitment serves as a tangible demonstration of political will and an essential prerequisite for attracting international support and private sector investment. He argued that this financial commitment is not merely a numerical target but a powerful signal to development partners and investors that Liberia is ready to prioritize and drive its own agricultural transformation.
Drawing upon his experience as former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Boshe presented a compelling narrative of transformation, highlighting Ethiopia’s journey from a symbol of food insecurity to a net food exporter. This remarkable turnaround, he explained, was a direct result of strategic resource allocation, robust institutional development, and a resolute focus on implementation. He stressed that policies alone are insufficient for achieving tangible results; budgetary backing is crucial for translating policy into action. This emphasis on budgetary commitment underscores the understanding that sustainable agricultural development requires sustained investment in infrastructure, research, technology, and human capital.
Beyond financial commitment, Mr. Boshe advocated for a holistic, whole-of-government approach to agricultural development, emphasizing that agriculture should transcend the confines of a single ministry and be embraced as a national priority. He called for a paradigm shift in mindset, urging a move away from subsistence farming towards the establishment of resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems. This shift requires a coordinated effort across various government sectors, including infrastructure, education, trade, and finance, to create an enabling environment for agricultural growth. Such a comprehensive approach ensures that agricultural development is integrated into broader national development strategies.
AGRA’s involvement in Liberia extends beyond advocacy. A technical delegation, led by Vice President for Technical Expertise Mr. Jonathan Saa, is actively supporting Liberia in designing a flagship legacy program. This program aims to scale up agricultural value chains and bolster the nation’s long-term food security. The program is slated to be unveiled at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, later in 2025, providing a platform to showcase Liberia’s commitment to agricultural transformation and attract further support and investment.
Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, warmly welcomed the AGRA delegation and echoed Mr. Boshe’s call for increased government investment in agriculture. He emphasized the importance of government leadership in agricultural development, stating that donor support cannot replace the fundamental role of government commitment. This reinforces the message that sustainable agricultural transformation requires ownership and leadership from within, with external support playing a complementary role.
Beyond financial and policy considerations, the visit also explored opportunities for collaboration in specific agricultural sectors. Chairman Boshe, recognizing Ethiopia’s prominent role in coffee production, expressed interest in assisting Liberia in bringing its “Coffee Liberica” to the global market. He offered to share Ethiopia’s expertise in coffee cultivation, quality assurance, and market access, highlighting the potential for South-South cooperation in driving agricultural growth and development. This sharing of best practices and knowledge transfer can significantly contribute to Liberia’s efforts to diversify its agricultural exports and enhance its competitiveness in the global market. This example demonstrates how AGRA’s support goes beyond general advocacy and delves into specific areas of technical assistance and collaboration.
Mr. Boshe’s visit to Liberia, more than just a diplomatic engagement, represents a critical juncture in Liberia’s agricultural development trajectory. It signifies AGRA’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s agricultural transformation and underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals. The call for increased budgetary allocation, coupled with the development of a comprehensive legacy program and the potential for collaboration in specific agricultural sectors, paints a picture of a concerted effort to propel Liberia’s agricultural sector forward. This visit marks not an end but a beginning, setting the stage for a renewed focus on agricultural development as a driver of economic growth, food security, and job creation in Liberia. It emphasizes the shared responsibility of government, international organizations, and the private sector in working together to achieve a thriving agricultural sector.
