Liberia launches Soils4Liberia project to build national soil database and boost Climate-Smart Agriculture

LIBERIA – Liberia’s Ministry of Agriculture has launched the Soils4Liberia Project to map and classify soils across the country, setting the stage for a new data-driven approach to farming.

The US$4.3 million European Union-funded program seeks to improve soil health, increase yields, and strengthen climate resilience in one of the country’s most important economic sectors.

For decades, farmers in Liberia have relied on guesswork to decide what to plant and how to manage their land. The lack of information about soil nutrients, fertility, and moisture has led to declining yields and widespread degradation.

With nearly 70 percent of Liberians engaged in agriculture, the government says improving soil knowledge is essential for food security.

The Soils4Liberia Project will create a national soil database to guide farmers on crop selection and fertilizer use. The project also aims to restore land damaged by deforestation, mining, and shifting cultivation.

“This is a transformative initiative aimed at restoring the very foundation of our nation’s agriculture, our soils,” said Solomon Hedd-Williams, Deputy Minister for Technical Services. “Without healthy soil, we cannot talk about food security, economic progress, or climate resilience.”

Officials believe the project will allow the government to make better decisions about land use and investment. Reliable data will help identify areas for irrigation, infrastructure, and environmental protection.

According to the National Climate Adaptation Plan 2020–2030, climate change, land degradation, and pest infestations threaten Liberia’s food supply. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that insects destroy between 10 and 30 percent of all food produced in Africa each year.

Across Liberia, farmers say they have seen harvests fall due to changing weather and poor soil health. In Margibi County, cassava farmer Gleekeh Peters said her yields have dropped from about 150 bags to 50 because of soil disease.

Rice farmer Fatu Darmo struggles with pest infestations, while vegetable growers like Jackson Williams in Kakata face unpredictable rainfall that disrupts planting.

Garmonyou A. Sam, an entomologist at the Ministry of Agriculture, said rising temperatures are helping pests spread. “As the weather gets warmer, we see more pests and crop diseases. This reduces yields and threatens food supplies,” he explained.

Expanding research and training

The Soils4Liberia Project builds on earlier efforts, including the Liberian Soil Information System launched in 2023. The new initiative expands coverage to all 15 counties and will involve the University of Liberia’s College of Agriculture and Forestry, the Central Agricultural Research Institute, and several government agencies.

Halala Willie Kokulo, Director of Land Development and Water Resources at the ministry, said the project has been years in the making. “We’ve been pursuing this project for nearly six years,” Kokulo said. “With support from the European Union and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, we can now expand it nationwide to build a reliable soil database that informs policy and research.”

European Union Ambassador Nona Deprez called the project a crucial step for Liberia’s agricultural sector. “Liberia’s potential for agricultural growth is immense,” she said. “With over 70 percent of the population engaged in agriculture, this sector can drive economic diversification and development.”

At the close of the launch, Deputy Minister Hedd-Williams reaffirmed the government’s commitment. “Healthy soil means healthy crops; healthy crops mean healthy people; and healthy people build prosperous nations,” he said. “Together, let us work hand in hand to secure Liberia’s agricultural future.”

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