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By LAEJN Editorial Team
Monrovia, Liberia – As part of strong commitment aimed at revitalizing Liberia’s agriculture sector, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has resumed and strengthened subsector coordination efforts through the reactivation of its Agriculture Coordination Committee (ACC). This strategic initiative, led by Mr. Peter D. Gbawoquiya, Director for Sectional Coordination at the Ministry, is designed to align stakeholders, improve efficiency, and address long-standing structural challenges within the sector.
Speaking to the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network in Monrovia recently, Director Gbawoquiya revealed that the Ministry is taking deliberate steps to enhance collaboration among subsector actors—ranging from crops and livestock to fisheries and agribusiness—under the renewed framework of the ACC and its technical working groups.
“Effective coordination is no longer optional. It is essential if we are to ensure that agriculture becomes a central driver of food security, employment, and economic growth,” said Gbawoquiya. “Each subsector must work in sync to deliver on Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan.”
According to Gbawoquiya, the ACC—once an active body that facilitated technical exchange and joint planning among stakeholders was a bit inactive. According to him, this led to fragmented interventions, resource wastage, and a lack of harmonized approaches to addressing key sector constraints. The Ministry’s decision to reactivate the committee is part of a broader sector reform strategy under the leadership of Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah.
“We have had too many instances where programs were duplicated, farmers were confused by inconsistent messages, and development partners worked in silos. That era must end,” Gbawoquiya emphasized.
The renewed structure will now comprise specialized technical working groups in areas such as mechanization, agronomy, livestock health, fisheries, extension services, youth and women in agriculture, and agri-finance. These groups will regularly report on progress, share data, and make joint recommendations to the Ministry’s senior leadership.
The Ministry’s coordination model is also expected to serve as a platform for harmonizing donor support, monitoring implementation of field projects, and facilitating faster decision-making on emerging issues.
Gbawoquiya cited the case of input distribution and training programs as an example of how poor coordination has hampered progress. “In some counties, two or three organizations are offering training to the same farmers, while others are left out. At the same time, inputs are delayed or delivered without proper linkage to extension services,” he noted.
The coordination effort will now ensure that planning is evidence-based and inclusive. County Agriculture Coordinators and project focal persons are being reoriented on their roles, while key implementing partners, including FAO, IFAD, AfricaRice, and EU-funded programs, are being invited to align their activities with the subsector working groups.
Agriculture remains one of Liberia’s most critical sectors, employing over 60% of the population and contributing significantly to rural livelihoods. However, productivity levels remain low due to weak coordination, inadequate access to inputs, limited mechanization, and poor infrastructure.
Gbawoquiya believes that with improved coordination, these constraints can be addressed systematically.
“This is not just about meetings or bureaucracy. It’s about creating a platform for accountability, innovation, and measurable impact. If we work together—government, farmers, partners—we can achieve food self-sufficiency and transform rural economies.”
As Liberia looks to rebuild its agricultural foundation, the Ministry’s renewed emphasis on structured coordination represents a critical step toward systemic reform. Under Director Gbawoquiya’s leadership, the reactivation of the ACC signals a return to inclusive governance, informed planning, and stronger accountability in the sector.
While the path ahead will require sustained political will, donor alignment, and operational efficiency, the groundwork being laid today may well determine the future of Liberia’s food security and agricultural prosperity.
