Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
KAKATA, Margibi County — The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), through the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), in partnership with the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN), has launched a nationwide food security and nutrition awareness campaign.
The campaign was officially launched on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Kakata City, Margibi County. It is funded by the Government of Liberia and the World Bank and aims to promote balanced diets, food safety, and the consumption of locally produced foods to address malnutrition and improve public health outcomes.
More than 150 participants attended the formal launch at the Kakata City Hall, bringing together students, farmers, marketers, Ministry of Agriculture staff, local leaders, and residents from surrounding communities.
Speaking at the launch, MOA/RETRAP Food Security Specialist, Sayba Yawai Tamba, said the initiative is designed to tackle persistent food shortages and poor nutrition across Liberia, particularly among children. She noted that malnutrition remains widespread, with stunting identified as a major concern.
“Stunting occurs when a child does not grow properly and is shorter than expected for their age,” Tamba explained. “When a child’s physical growth is affected, it also impacts brain development, making it difficult for that child to learn, work, and contribute meaningfully to society later in life.”
She emphasized the importance of promoting local foods that are fresh, nutritious, and readily available, adding that such foods are essential for healthy child development. According to Tamba, the campaign places special focus on nutrition from pregnancy through a child’s first two years of life, a critical period often referred to by UNICEF as the “first 1,000 days.”
“What a mother and child eat during this period can determine the child’s future health and development,” she said.
LAEJN is implementing a multi-channel communication strategy that includes radio jingles, the production and distribution of information, education and communication (IEC) materials, social media outreach, and community engagement activities. The campaign is expected to run through April 2026.
LAEJN also plans to train journalists in nutrition and food security reporting to ensure sustained public awareness beyond the life of the project.
As part of the pilot phase, outreach activities were conducted in Kakata’s two main daily markets, where marketers, motorcyclists, and other community members were sensitized on nutrition-related issues. Participants engaged directly with nutrition experts in interactive discussions.
The pilot engagement forms part of a broader national effort to improve household nutrition and strengthen community understanding of the role of diversified diets in improving health outcomes, particularly for children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups.
The sensitization activities include interactive discussions, demonstrations, and practical guidance aimed at encouraging households to adopt healthier eating habits using locally available foods.
