Agriculture is the backbone of Liberia, providing livelihoods for over 75% of the population. Yet, despite its central role, the sector faces deep-rooted challenges. The country has only 120 agricultural extension agents serving the entire nation. Links between research institutions, extension services, and farmers are weak, limiting the flow of innovation and practical knowledge to those who need it most. Moreover, the absence of a national certification framework has left advisory services fragmented and outdated.

APNI recently completed a mission to Liberia, held from July 13 to 20, 2025, to examine approaches to strengthen the country’s agricultural advisory landscape and drive innovation in crop nutrition and soil health.

At the heart of their visit, led by Dr. Canon Norris Savala Engoke, Senior Scientist, and Dr. Kokou Adambounou Amouzou, Scientist, was the promotion of the Professional Certified Agronomy Advisor Program (PCAAP), an initiative within APNI’s Capacity Development in Research and Extension Challenge Area and aligned with the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel.

The stakeholders unanimously recognized these gaps and expressed strong support for PCAAP. They highlighted its potential to professionalize advisory services, improve decision-making, and provide farmers with evidence-based solutions that can transform productivity and resilience.

Building Partnerships for Impact

APNI engaged with a wide network of partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), the University of Liberia, IECD, Catalyst Liberia, as well as the RETRAP and Star-P projects. These discussions emphasized the need for collaboration at multiple levels.

CARI was identified as a key player in linking research to extension and farmer networks. Universities expressed their readiness to co-develop curricula that will strengthen the skills of future advisors, while TVET institutions committed to preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals. The private sector was also highlighted as an essential partner, bringing investment and innovation delivery to the table.

To formalize these collaborations and co-create an implementation roadmap for PCAAP, partners agreed on the value of organizing a multi-stakeholder workshop in the near future.

Innovation at the Core

The mission also explored ways to integrate innovation into Liberia’s advisory system. The Ministry of Agriculture and APNI discussed the development of a national e-extension platform to modernize advisory delivery, with the integration of AI-enabled tools to support nutrient diagnostics, fertilizer recommendations, and real-time agronomic advice. Importantly, this approach will involve training intermediaries who can translate digital recommendations into practical guidance for farmers.

Educational and research partners, including the University of Liberia, showed strong interest in adopting on-farm experimentation (OFE) and Living Lab models. These approaches not only bring science directly to the field but also encourage farmer participation, integrate indigenous knowledge, and involve young people in the transformation of advisory services.

Collaborating for Sustainable Change

The mission also built on synergies with IECD and Catalyst Liberia, whose participatory Agri-Lab models in horticulture and aquaculture align closely with APNI’s farmer-supportive research methods. These models demonstrate how integrated systems can support livelihoods and sustainability, serving as strong foundations for scaling APNI innovations.

Similarly, discussions with the RETRAP and Star-P projects emphasized the urgency of addressing climate adaptation, soil health management, and stronger connections between research institutions and farmers. These themes are central to APNI’s 2030 Strategy, which places capacity development and nutrient stewardship at the heart of agricultural transformation.

Deputy Minister Mr. Moses R. Gbanyan (Centre) of Agriculture Research Development and Rural Extension and Director of Extension Department, Alaric N. Mienwipia (Far Left).

Looking Ahead

The mission concluded with a clear set of actions to move forward. APNI and its partners will work together to map stakeholders and secure government endorsement, conduct a national needs assessment, and co-develop certified training curricula tailored to Liberia’s context. Pilot training sites and demonstration farms will be launched to showcase best practices, while efforts to scale up the e-extension platform and integrate AI tools will be prioritized. Institutionalizing advisory certification through policy dialogue and embedding monitoring and evaluation systems will ensure that progress is measured and learning continues.

A Turning Point for Liberia

APNI’s mission to Liberia marks a pivotal moment in the country’s journey toward modernizing its agricultural advisory services. By aligning with national priorities, fostering strong partnerships, and embedding digital and farmer-led innovations, Liberia is poised to create an advisory system that is both responsive and scalable.

With continued collaboration and commitment, this transformation holds the promise of improved soil health, higher productivity, and better livelihoods for farming communities across the country.