MONROVIA – The European Union, in partnership with the Government of Liberia and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), has launched the Liberia Land and Soil Resources Knowledge Project (Soils4Liberia) — a landmark US$4.6 million initiative aimed at improving the country’s capacity for sustainable land and soil management.
The four-year project, funded by the European Union Delegation to Liberia and implemented by IITA, seeks to establish the Liberia Land and Soil Information System (LSIS) — a modern, data-driven platform that will provide accurate and up-to-date information on Liberia’s soil and land resources.
Officials say the initiative will enhance land use planning, agricultural productivity, and climate resilience by ensuring that policymakers, researchers, and farmers have access to reliable soil and land data.
Strengthening Institutions and Building Capacity
The Soils4Liberia project will directly benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), University of Liberia (UL), and several government agencies such as the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Forest Development Authority (FDA), and the National Investment Commission (NIC).
Over the next 48 months, hundreds of Liberian professionals, students, and farmers are expected to benefit through specialized training, research support, and institutional capacity building.
EU Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Growth
Speaking at the launch ceremony held at the Sinkor Palace Conference Hall in Monrovia, European Union Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez, reaffirmed the EU’s long-term commitment to advancing sustainable development and agricultural transformation in the country.
“Healthy soils are the foundation of food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability,” Ambassador Deprez said. “Through the Soils4Liberia project, the European Union is proud to help Liberia build the knowledge, tools, and systems needed to manage its land resources more effectively. This project will empower national institutions, strengthen research, and improve the lives of farmers across the country.”
Liberia’s Agriculture Ministry Welcomes the Initiative
Solomon Hedd-Williams, Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, praised the initiative as a game-changer for Liberia’s agricultural sector.
“This project seeks to map and assess our soils, allowing farmers and policymakers alike to make better, data-driven decisions,” he said. “It will train farmers in soil conservation and fertility management, support local researchers and extension officers, and help build a future where every Liberian farmer understands their soil and knows how to care for it.”
About the Soils4Liberia Project
Soils4Liberia is a 48-month initiative implemented by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with ISRIC, CIFOR-ICRAF, MATE, and the Regional Hub, with technical support from Liberia’s Ministry of Agriculture, CARI, and the University of Liberia.
The project is part of Liberia’s broader commitment to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and evidence-based policymaking, aligning with national priorities under President Joseph Boakai’s development agenda.
