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By Judoemue M. Kollie
GBARNGA, Bong County – Efforts to reposition Liberia’s coffee sector are gaining renewed momentum as the International Trade Centre (ITC), in partnership with the Farmers Union Network of Liberia (FUNL), intensifies support to coffee farmers through a comprehensive cooperative governance training program.
The workshop, funded by the European Union (EU) under the ACP programme, is being hosted at the Development Education Network Liberia (DEN-L) in Gbarnga City, Bong County. It is implemented in collaboration with the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA), the government body responsible for regulating and supervising cooperatives in Liberia.
The training brings together representatives of coffee farmer groups from Nimba, Lofa, Bong, Bomi and Montserrado counties—regions historically known for coffee production. Organizers say the initiative is designed to build strong, transparent and accountable cooperatives capable of improving farmers’ incomes and contributing to rural economic transformation.
Participants are receiving practical instruction on cooperative principles, leadership structures, financial management, democratic decision-making, conflict resolution, and member accountability. The training also covers business planning, quality improvement, value addition, record keeping, and strategies for accessing credit and structured markets.
According to facilitators, strengthening cooperative governance is a critical foundation for unlocking the full potential of Liberia’s coffee value chain. By organizing into well-managed cooperatives, farmers can aggregate production, negotiate better prices, reduce transaction costs and attract investment.
Liberian coffee farmers continue to grapple with limited access to finance, aging trees, low productivity, weak infrastructure and inconsistent market linkages. Many operate on a small scale, making it difficult to meet the volume and quality requirements of international buyers.
Speaking at the opening session, FUNL President Josephine George Francis underscored the importance of collective action in transforming rural livelihoods.
“We have gathered here to provide you with the skills and knowledge of cooperative governance. This is not just training—it is an opportunity to strengthen your institutions and improve your lives,” she told participants.
Francis emphasized that FUNL’s long-standing collaboration with ITC has helped revive interest in coffee farming across several counties. She noted that improved farming techniques and renewed market engagement are gradually restoring confidence in the sector.
ITC National Coordinator Hawa Varney reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to working alongside the Government of Liberia and local partners to reposition Liberia in the global coffee market.
She described the training as part of a broader strategy to enhance productivity, improve quality standards and connect farmers to premium markets.
“Our goal is to expose farmers to greater opportunities within the coffee sub-sector and ensure they are well organized to take advantage of those opportunities,” Varney said.
Liberia’s coffee industry, once a significant contributor to rural livelihoods and export earnings, suffered major setbacks during the civil conflict. Production declined sharply, plantations were abandoned, and market systems collapsed.
However, renewed support from the European Union through ITC and national stakeholders has sparked a gradual recovery. The Government of Liberia has also prioritized coffee as part of its agricultural diversification strategy.
In 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture officially launched Liberica coffee, an indigenous species known for its resilience and distinct flavor profile, as a flagship export commodity. The initiative aims to attract international buyers, promote value addition, and re-establish Liberia as a competitive producer in specialty coffee markets.
Stakeholders believe that strengthening cooperatives will be central to sustaining this momentum. Effective farmer organizations are expected to improve traceability, meet certification standards, and enhance quality control, key requirements in today’s global coffee trade.
Beyond production gains, the training is viewed as a pathway to broader rural development. Strong cooperatives can create employment opportunities, improve household incomes and stimulate local economies.
As the workshop continues in Gbarnga, participants say they are optimistic about applying the knowledge gained to transform their cooperatives into viable business entities.
With sustained institutional support, Liberia’s coffee revival could become a model for inclusive agricultural development, anchored in farmer ownership, strong governance, and strategic international partnerships.
