Liberia Showcases Climate-Resilient Rice Varieties to Boost National Food Security

Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia — In a significant stride toward bolstering Liberia’s food and nutrition security, stakeholders from across the agricultural sector gathered on March 17, 2025, at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) for a vibrant Field Day showcasing ten newly developed upland rice varieties. Organized by AfricaRice in partnership with CARI and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), and funded by the European Union (EU), the event highlighted the outcomes of the EU-funded Seeds4Liberia Project, part of the broader "From Productivity to Product" (P2P) initiative.

The showcased rice varieties—products of collaborative research supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—are designed to withstand drought, resist pests, and offer high yields and grain quality, key traits essential for climate adaptation and improved productivity. Attended by farmers, researchers, policymakers, and donors, the event allowed participants to evaluate the rice varieties based on grain quality, aroma, and field performance. The top preferred varieties—ART34-88-1-2-B-1, ART34-120-1-2-B-1, and ART34-113-3-2-B-1—were selected for their superior traits, with ART27-190-6-1-4-2-2-1 also gaining attention for its resemblance to the popular NERICA 4.

Key voices, including Dr. Arthur Bob Karnuah, Director General of CARI, and Mr. Antonio Di Clemente of the EU Delegation, underscored the importance of such innovations in achieving national food self-sufficiency. AfricaRice’s Country Representative to Liberia, Dr. Akintayo Inoussa emphasized the varieties’ adaptability across upland and lowland ecologies, marking a leap in climate-smart agriculture. The event culminated with stakeholders committing to scaling up seed production, accelerating variety registration, and intensifying farmer training. As Liberia aims for a resilient and self-reliant rice sector, the Seeds4Liberia initiative serves as a model of impactful collaboration among research, policy, and grassroots engagement.

About the Seeds4Liberia Project

Launched late in 2024, the EU-funded project is poised to bring relief to the value chains of rice, cassava, coffee, soybeans, and fish, which undoubtedly have huge potential but face numerous challenges, ranging from human capacity development to the absence of improved seed varieties.

The project aims to address the priorities of these sectors, including strengthening the capacity of farmers, private seed enterprises, and government ministries and agencies. Furthermore, it is collaborating with similar interventions to enhance quality assurance, increase varietal turnover, and boost yields, while also transferring cutting-edge knowledge and skills. 

The project is expected to cultivate approximately 4200 hectares to produce seeds for rice, cassava, soybeans, coffee, and fish.  Additionally, it promises to deliver 3,000 tons of certified rice seeds, 62,500 bundles of cassava, 4,800 tons of soybeans, 1.100,000 coffee seeds, and 45 million fish fingerlings throughout its lifespan.    

AfricaRice, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and WorldFish are collaborating on the project with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), and the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA).