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By Tokpa M. Tarnue Sr, Radio Kintorma, Lofa County
VOINJAMA, Lofa County – The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has launched a major coffee seedling distribution campaign across Lofa County, reaffirming the Government of Liberia’s commitment to restoring the country’s once-thriving coffee industry through improved planting materials, sustainable production, and increased investment in smallholder farmers.
The initiative marks a significant step in Liberia’s coffee sector revitalization strategy, recognizing that quality seedlings are the foundation of productive coffee farming and the key to rebuilding the country’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
Held under the theme, “Planting the Seeds of Prosperity: Revitalizing Liberia’s Coffee Sector for Sustainable Production,” the launch brought together government officials, development partners, local authorities, traditional leaders, farmer cooperatives, extension officers, and hundreds of coffee farmers from across Lofa County.
Under the initiative, LACRA is distributing thousands of improved coffee seedlings to farmers in four districts across the county. The intervention is expected to rejuvenate aging coffee plantations, improve yields and bean quality, strengthen household incomes, and encourage more farmers—particularly youth and women—to invest in coffee production as a profitable agribusiness.
The seedling distribution forms part of LACRA’s broader strategy to strengthen Liberia’s coffee value chain by improving access to certified planting materials, promoting climate-resilient farming practices, increasing productivity, and creating sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.
Speaking at the launch, LACRA officials emphasized that the distribution of improved coffee seedlings represents far more than the provision of agricultural inputs. They described the initiative as a long-term investment in rebuilding Liberia’s coffee industry and restoring confidence among farmers after years of declining production.
The officials noted that successful coffee production begins with quality planting materials, stressing that healthy, improved seedlings provide the foundation for higher yields, better-quality coffee, greater resilience to climate change, and increased market competitiveness. They encouraged beneficiaries to carefully nurture the seedlings, adopt recommended agronomic practices, and view the initiative as an opportunity to establish productive coffee farms that can generate income for generations.
LACRA also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with farmer cooperatives, local governments, research institutions, development partners, and the private sector to expand coffee cultivation, improve extension services, strengthen market linkages, and build a resilient and commercially viable coffee industry.
Receiving the seedlings, farmers welcomed the initiative as a timely intervention that will breathe new life into Liberia’s coffee sector.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, one coffee farmer said:
“Most of our coffee trees are old and no longer produce as they once did. These improved seedlings give us renewed hope that we can establish new plantations, increase our harvests, earn more income, and create a better future for our families. We are committed to taking good care of these seedlings because they represent the future of coffee farming in our communities.”
Several beneficiaries pledged to properly manage the seedlings and share knowledge with fellow farmers to ensure the long-term success of the national coffee revitalization program.
Local leaders applauded LACRA for selecting Lofa County as one of the priority counties for the initiative, noting that the county has historically been one of Liberia’s leading coffee-producing regions. They expressed confidence that restoring coffee production will stimulate local economic growth, create employment opportunities for young people, reduce rural poverty, and strengthen food and income security for farming households.
The coffee seedling distribution campaign highlights the Government of Liberia’s determination to revive one of the country’s historic export commodities through strategic investments in quality planting materials, farmer capacity building, and sustainable agricultural development. As thousands of improved seedlings take root across Lofa County, stakeholders believe they are planting more than coffee—they are planting the seeds of prosperity, resilience, and renewed economic opportunity for Liberia’s rural communities.
