Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
Press Release
The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the World Bank, has launched a ten-day Implementation Support Mission (ISM) to evaluate progress under the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP)—a flagship initiative aimed at improving rural livelihoods, boosting agribusiness growth, and advancing sustainable agricultural development across Liberia. The mission seeks to assess the project’s achievements, identify key implementation challenges, and strengthen collaboration to ensure continued delivery of inclusive and lasting results.
The mission, from November 3 to 12, 2025, led by Dr. Kadir Osman Gyasi, World Bank Task Team Leader, seeks to review project achievements against development objectives, identify implementation challenges, and provide technical guidance to ensure that RETRAP continues to deliver sustainable and inclusive results.
Valued at US$161 million, RETRAP is financed by the World Bank and implemented by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture. The project aims to boost the income and resilience of rural households by promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, improving market access, and strengthening value chains for cassava, rubber, and livestock (pigs and poultry).
Currently, RETRAP is facilitating the construction of key road corridors between Tappita and Zwedru, and between Toe Town and the Ivory Coast border, as well as several modern market structures along the Ganta–Zwedru corridor. The project also supports capacity development for both public and private sector actors, alongside the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads and market infrastructure to enhance connectivity and trade.
Since 2023, RETRAP has awarded US$10 million in matching grants to 64 agribusiness beneficiaries to improve productivity, competitiveness, and value addition. These grants have enabled smallholder farmers and agripreneurs to expand operations, establish processing facilities, and access broader markets, contributing to higher incomes and job creation in rural areas.
As part of the Implementation Support Mission, joint teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Bank are visiting project sites across several counties to monitor field activities and engage directly with beneficiaries. The field visits include assessments of crop production, agro-processing facilities, and rural infrastructure, as well as consultations with farmers, agri-enterprises, and community groups to evaluate progress and collect feedback.
The mission began on Friday, November 7, with site visits in Montserrado County, followed by Grand Bassa and River Cess on Saturday, November 8. Led by Mr. Galah Toto, National Project Coordinator, the team will continue its field visits in Sinoe, Maryland, Grand Gedeh, Nimba, Bong, and Montserrado Counties over the coming days.
During one of the field engagements, Dr. Gyasi commended project beneficiaries for their commitment but encouraged them to remain focused and results-driven.
“You must take your investments seriously,” he urged. “If you do not work hard and complete your projects on time, the initiatives will lose their purpose, and neither the Government of Liberia nor the World Bank will achieve the intended results.”
Mr. Galah Toto, National Project Coordinator, also called on beneficiaries to demonstrate greater ownership and professionalism.
“This project belongs to you,” he emphasized. “Your dedication and hard work will not only transform your own livelihoods but also contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s agricultural transformation and national economic growth.”
The Ministry of Agriculture considers this Implementation Support Mission a vital exercise to enhance accountability, strengthen coordination among stakeholders, and consolidate the overall impact of RETRAP. Findings and recommendations from the mission will inform the next phase of project implementation and ensure that RETRAP continues to deliver long-term, sustainable benefits to Liberia’s rural communities.
The Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP) remains a cornerstone of the Government of Liberia’s commitment to modernizing the agricultural sector, promoting agribusiness development, and empowering smallholder farmers as key drivers of national economic growth.
