06/05/2026
is spending nearly US$200 million every year on rice imports, while local production meets approximately 39% of national demand. This gap is not just about food; it is about systems. For too long, farmers have relied on recycled, low-quality seeds and cultivated soils without the data and management needed to unlock their full potential.
Even the best seed cannot perform in poor or depleted soil. Moreover, even the richest soil cannot reach its full productivity without high-quality, certified seed. Transforming Liberia’s agriculture requires investing in both improved seed systems and sustainable soil management as one integrated solution.
Modern seed varieties can mature in as little as 90 days, allowing multiple harvests each year. But their success depends on understanding soil health, fertility, and suitability. This is where science meets practice, linking improved seeds with reliable soil data to increase yields, boost farmer incomes, and strengthen national food security.
Nevertheless, without access to certified, high-quality seed and the right soil information to support it, these opportunities will remain untapped.
The Seed Sector Investment Roundtable Conference held in Monrovia on April 30, 2026, brought together key stakeholders to drive this agenda forward, with participation from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Liberia Office, represented by Dr. Dakka Sheferaw Abebe, Dr. Samuel Mesele, and Dr. Michael Edet. Their presence reinforces the growing alignment between seed system transformation and soil intelligence under initiatives like the European Union in Liberia funded Soils4Liberia project.
Investing in seed systems alone is not enough. Investing in seed and soil together is the pathway to productivity, resilience, and national development.
Liberia’s future harvest depends on what is planted today and how well the soil beneath it is understood.
