The Liberia Agriculture Commodity and Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has stepped up efforts to revive the country’s indigenous coffee industry, with senior management visiting the Voinjama nursery in Lofa County to assess progress on 87,000 Liberica seedlings.
The delegation, led by Deputy Director Hon. Alpha Gongolee and Board Chair Hon. Josephine Francis, toured the facility to evaluate seedling quality and readiness for distribution. The nursery forms part of LACRA’s ambitious plan to produce and distribute one million Liberica seedlings across five counties — Bomi, Bong, Montserrado, Lofa, and Nimba — within six months.
Liberica coffee, prized for its distinctive flavor and resilience to climate stress, has long been considered a potential driver of Liberia’s agricultural revival. Hon. Gongolee underscored its economic and nutritional value, noting that the crop could strengthen rural livelihoods while positioning Liberia competitively in global specialty coffee markets.
To safeguard quality and traceability, LACRA has introduced a digital monitoring platform that registers farms and tracks cultivation practices. The system is designed to ensure compliance with agricultural regulations, prevent harvesting from protected areas, and enhance transparency in the sector.
“This initiative is not just about coffee,” Gongolee said. “It is about jobs, sustainability, and restoring Liberia’s agricultural heritage.”
The nursery project reflects broader government priorities to diversify the economy, reduce reliance on imports, and promote sustainable farming. By focusing on Liberica — a variety native to West Africa but underutilized in recent decades — LACRA hopes to reconnect Liberia with its agricultural roots while opening new export opportunities.
Board Chair Francis emphasized that the program’s success depends on farmer participation and community engagement. “We are committed to ensuring farmers receive high-quality seedlings and the training needed to cultivate them effectively,” she said.
Established to regulate and promote Liberia’s agricultural commodities, LACRA has positioned itself as a central player in the sector’s modernization. Its mandate includes protecting consumers, supporting farmers, and fostering sustainable development. The agency’s vision is to build a vibrant agricultural economy that contributes to food security, growth, and improved livelihoods nationwide.
As the Voinjama nursery prepares for large-scale distribution, expectations are high that Liberica coffee could once again become a cornerstone of Liberia’s agricultural identity — and a symbol of resilience in the face of economic challenges.
