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By Nukanah Kollie | [email protected]
Suakoko, Bong County – In a bold push to reclaim its domestic poultry market and reduce reliance on imports, Liberia’s poultry industry stakeholders recently convened a five-day pre-validation exercise for its long-stalled National Poultry Strategy—a move hailed as a pivotal moment in the country’s agricultural reform agenda.
Held at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) in Suakoko, the workshop brought together key stakeholders, including poultry farmers, agribusiness experts, policymakers, and local leaders. The gathering signals Liberia’s intent to revive a strategy first drafted nearly six years ago but left dormant until now.
Dr. Arthur Bob Karnuah, Director General of CARI, described the long-awaited strategy as a blueprint for national self-sufficiency in poultry. “This is more than just validating a document. It’s a strategic turnaround for Liberia’s food security,” he said. Karnuah emphasized that the strategy includes building local feed production, mapping poultry farmers, investing in hatcheries and processing infrastructure, and developing skilled manpower to support a full poultry value chain.
“Liberia cannot continue to depend on imported poultry that is often expired or unsafe,” he added. “This strategy offers us the tools to build a regulated, sustainable, and safe domestic poultry sector.”
Deputy Agriculture Minister for Planning and Development, Hon. David K. Akoi, framed the initiative as a direct response to President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda—a national blueprint prioritizing agriculture, infrastructure, and local economic development.
“This strategy must reflect today’s climate and data realities, with clear production goals such as raising 500,000 birds annually,” he said. Akoi announced that the agriculture sector’s national budget has more than doubled to over $13 million, with $8 million allocated through the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP), supporting key crops and livestock, including poultry.
Importantly, Akoi stressed that the government’s goal is not to impose bans on poultry imports, but to empower local producers to compete. “If we support our farmers to produce quality feed and birds, the market will shift naturally toward local goods,” he said.
Joseph N. Kodah Sr., President of the Liberia Poultry Federation, welcomed the policy revival as long overdue. “Liberia’s market is saturated with low-quality, expired poultry imports. This is not only an economic issue—it’s a public health crisis,” he warned. Kodah added that the policy introduces a long-missing classification system for poultry farmers, which will enable more targeted support.
King J. Kerkula of BRAC Liberia recalled that despite producing over 125,000 day-old chicks in 2013, local poultry enterprises collapsed due to limited market absorption. “This strategy gives us hope for a better ecosystem—where production is matched by market demand and government backing,” he said.
Representing the Mayor of Gbarnga, Alex D. Mulbah Sr. voiced local government support, noting the potential for organizing smallholder poultry farmers into cooperatives. “With proper implementation, this strategy will stimulate jobs, improve health, and build local pride in Liberian-grown poultry,” he said.
Liberia currently produces just 15,000 metric tons of poultry meat annually—significantly less than regional counterparts like Ghana (70,900 tons) and Sierra Leone (21,600 tons). Although production grew by 2.15% in 2022, experts argue the current pace is insufficient without stronger policy coordination and investment.
The government’s recent $26 million investment in an agro-industrial poultry complex underscores a renewed commitment to reversing the trend.
Following the pre-validation workshop, the updated strategy will be finalized, endorsed by President Boakai, and submitted to the National Legislature for legislative backing.
Once enacted, Liberia will have its first comprehensive national poultry policy, designed to reduce imports, improve food safety, increase farmer incomes, and spur job creation in rural communities.
“This policy is the start of a new era,” said Kodah. “With proper enforcement and stakeholder commitment, Liberia can finally take control of its poultry future.”
