Liberia deepens support for WFI Cooperative as agriculture sector push continues
Government backs rice and cassava production with inspections, community land donations, and focus on farmer training.
LIBERIA – The Government of Liberia has stepped up its backing of the World Foundation International (WFI) Multi-Purpose Agriculture Cooperative, signaling a firm commitment to improving domestic food production and supporting local farmers.
Following a meeting between WFI officials and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Ministry of Agriculture has pledged to provide both technical and logistical help to the cooperative.
The President, after reviewing WFI’s current activities, directed the Minister of Agriculture to inspect the cooperative’s sites and report on progress.
“President Boakai showed great interest in our work,” said a senior WFI official. “He asked for immediate collaboration with the Ministry to scale our operations and better use available farmland.”
A team from both the Ministry and WFI has since started joint visits to project areas, beginning in Bomi and Gbarpolu Counties. The inspection will continue in Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Bong Counties.
Farming at Scale: Land and community involvement
WFI is currently focusing on increasing the production of rice and cassava, which are staples in the Liberian diet. The cooperative also plans to grow oil palm and expand into more areas of the agricultural value chain.
Several communities have already offered large tracts of land to support the effort. In Bomi County’s Klay District, residents of Yomo Town gave 8,500 hectares for farming.
Arthington Township in Montserrado County contributed 2,000 hectares for mixed farming projects, and Bashee Town in Royesville Township provided 500 hectares specifically for cassava and rice. Bashee Town has also signed up 1,000 local farmers under the WFI program.
Nationwide, WFI says it works with about 3,500 farmers per county across all of Liberia’s 15 counties. The Ministry of Agriculture has recognized this as a strong foundation for boosting local food output and reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
“We’re excited by the level of community participation,” a Ministry official said. “The donated land and the growing number of farmers involved show that there is local trust in WFI’s model.”
Long-term plans and broader sector growth
The government’s efforts to back the WFI cooperative come as part of broader sector reforms under the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) 2024–2030. This plan outlines a US$717 million strategy to expand the use of farm machinery, invest in research, and train more farmers.
The Ministry is also setting up an Agriculture Enterprise Development Bank, which will help cooperatives and farmers access credit more easily.
On the technology front, precision tools such as drones and satellite monitoring are being introduced to help track crop health and manage resources.
At the community level, WFI programs are putting a strong focus on including young people and women. These programs provide training, access to land, and small business support to help more people earn a living from agriculture.
The cooperative is also encouraging farming practices that improve soil quality and support climate-friendly methods, including cover cropping and integrated pest control.
“WFI’s model is practical, and we now have government support to take it further,” said a project manager from Bomi County. “It’s not just about growing food, it’s about creating a system that works for everyone involved.”
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