Sanniquellie, Nimba County: In the heart of Liberia’s agricultural hub, a quiet but powerful shift is underway.
This commitment was clearly demonstrated on Tuesday, May 27, in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, as the REALISE Project launched an intensive training program for agricultural service providers centered on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). It is a progressive approach designed to strengthen resilience and promote sustainability within Liberia’s climate-vulnerable farming sector.
The initiative is part of the Community Livelihood and Agriculture Support (CLAS) component of the REALISE Project, a program designed to empower rural communities with modern, climate-resilient farming techniques.
REALISE, is the Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment, a development initiative supported by the World Bank aimed at revitalizing economic opportunities within Liberia’s informal sector.
A Response to Climate Realities
Liberia’s agricultural sector has long been at the mercy of erratic weather patterns, extended dry seasons, and destructive pest outbreaks. These challenges, made worse by climate change, threaten not just crops, but livelihoods and national food security.
“In the past, we farmed with the seasons we thought we knew,” said Eric Saydee, one of the participants in the CSA training. “Now the climate is changing, and we need to change with it.”
CSA offers a practical and innovative response. The approach blends traditional knowledge with modern science, integrating techniques such as improved soil and water management, agroforestry, and the cultivation of climate-resilient crop varieties.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to increase productivity, build resilience, and reduce environmental impact all at once.
From Service Providers to Communities
What makes this initiative especially powerful is its multiplier effect. After completing their training, the newly equipped service providers will return to their communities to train and support hundreds of farmers under the CLAS component of the REALISE Project. This rollout is expected to accelerate the adoption of CSA practices across rural Liberia, turning knowledge into action and action into improved livelihoods.
The CLAS component also offers farmers starter kits, seeds, and essential inputs, complementing the CSA training with the tools needed to implement it. For many households, this combination could mean the difference between subsistence and sustainability.
A Vision Backed by Innovation
Facilitating the training was Ignitia, a Swedish-based weather and climate intelligence company that specializes in delivering hyper-local, high-accuracy forecasts and climate risk insights to smallholder farmers.
Through accessible channels like SMS and WhatsApp, Ignitia provides daily weather updates, extreme weather alerts, and seasonal forecasts to help farmers make informed decisions.
Building Local Ownership
Aurelius Butler, Liberia’s National Social Protection Coordinator under the REALISE Project, praised the energy and engagement of the participants, noting that local ownership is key to the success of any development initiative.
“This training is not just about techniques,” he said. “It’s about mindset. It’s about empowering communities to take charge of their future and to see farming not just as a way of life, but as a pathway to resilience and prosperity.”
As the REALISE Project continues its rollout, it is planting more than just crops but sowing seeds of knowledge, self-reliance, and hope.
Written By: Jerry Laynumah Siakor
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