Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By LAEJN Editorial Team
Liberia’s agriculture sector remains overwhelmingly dependent on smallholder farmers using traditional production methods, with limited access to modern inputs, irrigation, mechanization, and basic social services, according to the Liberia Agriculture Census 2024.
Conducted by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and other key partners, the Liberia Agriculture Census 2024 (LAC-2024) marks a significant milestone as the country’s first fully comprehensive digital agriculture census.
Unlike previous agricultural surveys that relied largely on paper-based data collection and limited sampling methods, LAC-2024 utilized digital tools and real-time data capture technologies to improve accuracy, efficiency, and coverage. Enumerators were deployed across all counties using handheld digital devices equipped with geospatial mapping capabilities, enabling the precise identification and documentation of farming households, landholdings, crop types, livestock numbers, and access to services.
The nationwide census identified 338,492 agricultural households, representing more than 1.3 million individuals. The findings reaffirm agriculture as a cornerstone of Liberia’s economy, employing a significant portion of the population and serving as the primary source of livelihood for rural communities across the country.
Gender Disparities and Education Gaps
The census reveals that 64.5 percent of agricultural households are headed by men, while women head 35.5 percent. However, female-headed households face notable disadvantages in education.
According to the report, 64.5 percent of female-headed agricultural households have no formal education, compared to 38.3 percent of male-headed households. Analysts say this disparity directly affects access to information, productivity, adoption of modern farming practices, and income-generating opportunities.
The findings highlight the need for targeted educational and capacity-building programs aimed at empowering women farmers and promoting inclusive growth in agricultural sector development.
Crop Production Dominates the Sector
Agriculture in Liberia remains largely crop-based. The census shows that 99 percent of agricultural households engage in crop cultivation, making it the dominant agricultural activity nationwide.
Rice is the most cultivated crop, grown by 56.3 percent of agricultural households, underscoring its role as Liberia’s staple food and a critical component of national food security. Cassava follows closely, cultivated by 45.9 percent of households, serving both subsistence and commercial purposes.
While crop production dominates, livestock and poultry farming contribute modestly to household income and food supply. The census recorded 27,417 households engaged in poultry farming, raising a total of 444,148 chickens.
In livestock production, 20,156 households rear animals. Goats are the most common livestock, with 67,767 goats raised across 13,459 households. The data suggest that while livestock production exists, it has yet to reach its full potential as a driver of rural income diversification.
Minimal Mechanization and Irrigation
One of the most striking findings of the census is the continued reliance on traditional farming tools. The majority of farmers use basic hand tools, with 94.1 percent relying on cutlasses and 87.2 percent using hand hoes. The use of tractors and other mechanized equipment remains extremely limited.
The low level of mechanization contributes to reduced productivity, labor-intensive operations, and limited capacity for large-scale production.
Irrigation use is also significantly underdeveloped. Only 8 percent of agricultural holdings report using irrigation systems. As a result, most farmers depend heavily on rainfall, making production highly vulnerable to changing weather patterns and climate variability.
Fertilizer use remains equally low, with only 11.3 percent of households reporting the use of fertilizers. The dominance of traditional farming methods across all counties suggests limited access to agricultural inputs, credit facilities, and extension services.
Land Ownership Patterns
Land ownership in Liberia’s agricultural sector is largely rooted in tradition. The census indicates that 59.8 percent of agricultural land is inherited. While inheritance ensures access to farmland for many households, experts note that customary land tenure systems can sometimes limit land consolidation, long-term investment, and modernization efforts.
Secure land rights and improved land administration systems are seen as critical components for attracting investment and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.
Rural Living Conditions Raise Concerns
Beyond production, the census paints a sobering picture of rural living conditions.
About 44.2 percent of agricultural households live in homes constructed with mud and sticks, while 34.1 percent use mud and bricks for walls. Additionally, 60.3 percent of households have mud floors, conditions that pose potential health risks, particularly for children.
Access to clean drinking water appears relatively widespread, with 89 percent of households reporting access within a 20-minute walk. However, sanitation remains a major concern. The census reveals that 54.2 percent of households lack basic sanitation facilities and rely on open defecation, raising public health risks in rural communities.
Healthcare access is also limited. More than half of agricultural households—51.7 percent—travel one hour or more to reach the nearest health facility. This distance can delay treatment, increase vulnerability during emergencies, and negatively impact productivity.
Recommendations for Sector Transformation
The Liberia Agriculture Census 2024 outlines a series of policy recommendations aimed at addressing these structural challenges.
First, the report calls for strengthening gender inclusion and education. It recommends literacy programs, vocational training, and leadership development initiatives specifically targeting female farmers to close the education gap and enhance their participation in cooperatives and decision-making processes.
Second, the census emphasizes the urgent need for rural infrastructure development. Investments in feeder roads, healthcare facilities, clean water systems, and sanitation infrastructure are identified as critical to improving living conditions and supporting agricultural productivity.
Third, the report recommends expanding agricultural extension services to provide farmers with training in modern farming techniques, crop diversification, and climate-resilient practices. The use of digital platforms to disseminate real-time agricultural information is also encouraged.
Fourth, promoting mechanization and improving access to agricultural inputs is seen as essential. The report suggests subsidies, credit schemes, and financing mechanisms to enable smallholder farmers to acquire mechanized equipment, fertilizers, quality seeds, and irrigation systems, particularly in counties with low adoption rates.
Finally, the census calls for leveraging partnerships and data. It urges the government to collaborate with international organizations, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to attract investment and technical expertise. Policymakers are encouraged to use census data to design targeted interventions tailored to specific regions and demographic groups.
A Roadmap for Agricultural Reform
Overall, the Liberia Agriculture Census 2024 provides a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of the sector. While it highlights the resilience and central role of smallholder farmers, it also exposes systemic challenges related to gender inequality, low mechanization, limited input use, inadequate infrastructure, and poor living conditions.
The report stresses that transforming Liberia’s agriculture sector will require a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach focused on improving food security, strengthening rural livelihoods, promoting inclusive economic growth, and building a resilient and modern agricultural system capable of supporting national development.
