By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Monrovia — The European Union (EU), in partnership with the Government of Liberia and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), has officially launched the Liberia Land and Soil Resources Knowledge Project (Soils4Liberia) — a landmark US$4.6 million initiative aimed at strengthening Liberia’s capacity for sustainable land and soil management.
Funded by the European Union Delegation to Liberia and implemented by the IITA, Soils4Liberia is a four-year project designed to enhance data collection, analysis, and application for land and soil resource management.
At its core, the initiative will support the creation of the Liberia Land and Soil Information System (LSIS) — a modern, data-driven platform that provides reliable and up-to-date information on Liberia’s soils and land resources.
By improving access to quality soil data, Soils4Liberia will advance land use planning, agricultural productivity, and climate resilience across the country.
Policymakers, researchers, and farmers will be empowered to make better-informed decisions that promote food security and environmental sustainability.
The project will directly benefit several key national institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), and the University of Liberia (UL).
It will also engage the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), National Investment Commission (NIC), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), and the Forest Development Authority (FDA), among others. Over its 48-month duration, hundreds of Liberian professionals, researchers, and students will benefit from training, research support, and institutional capacity building.
EU Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture
Speaking at the launch, European Union Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez, emphasized the EU’s continued commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural transformation in Liberia.
“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.”
Building Knowledge and Empowering Farmers
Solomon Hedd-Williams, Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted the project’s importance in strengthening soil knowledge and capacity building.
“This project seeks to map and assess our soils, allowing farmers and policymakers alike to make better, data-driven decisions,” Hedd-Williams noted. “It will also 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.”
The launch ceremony, held at the Sinkor Palace Conference Hall in Monrovia, brought together representatives from government ministries, research institutions, the private sector, and development partners.
Participants discussed collaborative strategies and the project’s roadmap for effective implementation.
About Soils4Liberia
Soils4Liberia is a four-year initiative implemented by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in partnership with ISRIC, CIFOR-ICRAF, MATE, and the Regional Hub, with contributions from national agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), CARI, and the University of Liberia (UL).
The project is funded by the European Union Delegation to Liberia and implemented in close collaboration with the Government of Liberia, aligning with national efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and data-driven policy development.
