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By Judoemue M. Kollie
The International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with local partners, has launched this year’s coffee harvest under the EU-funded ACP Business-Friendly Coffee Program.
The launch event, held in Samodu Town, Quadu Gboni District, Lofa County, brought together key stakeholders from Liberia’s coffee sector and underscored ITC’s commitment to revitalizing the coffee sector to improve the livelihoods of rural Liberians.
With financial support from the European Union, the ITC is working in partnership with the Liberian government to breathe new life into the country’s coffee subsector.
The program, organized by the Farmer Union Network of Liberia (FUNL) alongside ITC and other local stakeholders, aims to showcase the progress made thus far in revamping the sector.
Madam Josephine Francis, President of the Farmer Union Network of Liberia, described the launch as a major milestone for the nation’s coffee sector. “The ITC has worked over the years to put Liberia back on the coffee market,” she said. Since the program’s inception, Liberia has exported 107 metric tons of coffee beans to Cyprus in 2024, a significant step forward,” she added.
The program has established demonstration farms in coffee-producing counties, including Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Bomi, and Montserrado, to address the lack of knowledge about improved techniques of coffee production.
“These farms serve as hubs for teaching improved farming methods. Farmers will start replicating these practices, increasing production and local sales,” she explained.
Madam Francis emphasized the importance of forming cooperatives to unlock better market opportunities. “By next year, we will ensure that cooperatives are established to provide farmers with the resources and support they need,” she stated.
“We plan to assist you the cooperatives in opening bank accounts and accessing financial resources to support their operations,” she added.
Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Liberia Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA), and the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) attended the program and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting coffee farmers.
Austin Gboo Yeanay, a Tree Crop Development Specialist representing the MoA, urged farmers to embrace ITC’s initiatives. “Coffee is a lucrative crop attracting global attention, and we must work together to make a significant impact,” he said.
LACRA Deputy Director Godia Alpha Kortu Gongolee announced plans to empower cooperatives and link them with exporters to secure better prices for their produce.
Similarly, CDA’s Director for Field Services, David T. Boima, encouraged farmers to formalize their operations as cooperatives to maximize benefits.
Despite the progress, Liberia’s coffee sector faces low productivity, market constraints, and limited technical knowledge. However, the ITC and its partners remain committed to addressing these issues. More than 500 farmers from coffee-producing counties are participating in this year’s harvest, signaling a growing interest in the sector.
Liberia is home to both Robusta and Liberica coffee varieties, with Liberica being indigenous to the country. The coffee program has reignited hope among farmers, offering them a sustainable livelihood. With continued support from international partners, Liberia’s coffee sector is poised for significant growth.
The launch of the 2024 coffee harvest marks an essential step toward reclaiming Liberia’s position in the global coffee market and enhancing rural livelihoods through sustainable agriculture.
Meanwhile, the launch event climaxed with a program today in Monrovia on the tasting of locally grown and processed coffee.
