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By: Nukanah Kollie/ IFAJ-Alltech Young Leader & Fellow/ kollienukanah94@gmail.com
BONG COUNTY, Liberia — Deep in the fertile agricultural belt behind Palala in Kpai District, a bold experiment is unfolding at Sankofa Farm, one that could redefine Liberia’s approach to food production, nutrition, and agribusiness investment. At the center of this effort is the farm’s Chief Executive Officer, Nyamah Dunbar, who is spearheading the introduction and testing of soybeans as a viable commercial crop in the country.
This initiative forms part of the broader Building Resilient Seed Systems for Rice, Cassava, Soybean, Coffee, and Fish Value Chains to Strengthen Food and Economic Diversification in Liberia (SEEDS4LIBERIA) project, which is designed to strengthen Liberia’s agricultural seed systems, improve food security, and increase incomes.
The project is funded by the European Union and implemented through a consortium of partners including the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and WorldFish, in collaboration with national institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), and the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA). It also supports the operationalization of the Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA), which is central to improving seed quality assurance and regulation in Liberia.
At its core, SEEDS4LIBERIA seeks to establish a sustainable, demand-driven, and regulated seed system for rice, cassava, soybean, coffee, and fish value chains, with a focus on increasing productivity, improving nutrition, and strengthening agricultural markets.
Soybean, widely recognized globally for its high protein content and industrial versatility, is not yet a mainstream crop in Liberia. However, Sankofa Farm is working to change that narrative through a structured pilot initiative that is already showing promising results.
According to Dunbar, the farm is currently in its second to third production cycle of soybean trials, cultivating multiple varieties to determine which performs best under Liberia’s agro-ecological conditions. She explained that three different soybean varieties are being tested and early observations indicate strong performance and good yields, demonstrating that soybean can grow successfully in Liberia.
The soybean adaptation trial is being conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), a scientific experimental method that ensures reliable and comparable results across different seed varieties while minimizing environmental variation.
Strengthening National Agricultural Systems
Beyond farm-level trials, SEEDS4LIBERIA is structured to strengthen national agricultural systems by building the capacity of institutions such as CARI, NaFAA, MoA, and LACRA, while also supporting students from tertiary institutions. The project promotes the production of breeder, foundation, and certified seeds, strengthens private seed companies and community-based seed enterprises, and improves quality assurance through SDCA.
It also promotes climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties, with a strong emphasis on improving market intelligence and aligning production with demand.
Unlocking the Value of Soybean
Beyond its adaptability, soybean presents significant economic and nutritional opportunities. Dunbar described it as a highly versatile crop that can be processed into milk, used as a protein substitute in food, converted into animal feed, and processed into oil.
However, she stressed that the real value lies in processing and value addition rather than raw production alone.
Market Challenge and Dietary Acceptance
Despite its potential, soybean faces a major challenge in Liberia: limited market acceptance and dietary habits that are slow to change. Dunbar noted that introducing soybean into local diets requires gradual integration, such as blending it into traditional meals, porridge, and nutritional products.
From Farm to Factory: Addressing the Gap
While agronomic success has been demonstrated, Dunbar emphasized that production without markets limits impact. She pointed out the absence of agro-processing facilities as a major constraint, particularly machinery to convert soybean into oil, milk, feed, and other products for local and export markets.
Toward a Hub-Based Agricultural Model
To address this gap, Sankofa Farm is proposing a hub-based agricultural model in which large farms serve as aggregation and processing centers. Under this system, surrounding farmers would produce soybean and supply it to these hubs for purchase, processing, and marketing.
Dunbar believes this model would encourage farmers to increase production by guaranteeing a reliable market and fair pricing, thereby strengthening the entire value chain.
National Impact and Development Alignment
SEEDS4LIBERIA aligns closely with Liberia’s broader agricultural transformation agenda by improving seed systems, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing private sector engagement. Across all value chains, the project supports training for over 1,000 farmers and strengthens private enterprise participation.
If scaled successfully, soybean production could improve nutrition, reduce food imports, increase farmer incomes, and stimulate rural industrial growth.
As Liberia continues to face food security challenges and the need for economic diversification, initiatives under SEEDS4LIBERIA, such as the soybean adaptation trial at Sankofa Farm, provide a science-driven and practical pathway forward.
With strong institutional collaboration, EU funding support, and farmer-led innovation, soybean has the potential to become a cornerstone of Liberia’s agricultural transformation. For now, attention remains on Sankofa Farm and Nyamah Dunbar, whose vision is steadily transforming a simple crop into a national opportunity.
