SUAKOKO DISTRICT, BONG COUNTY – Beneath the warming sunrise, the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) in Suakoko District became a hub of activity as major stakeholders in Liberia’s poultry industry assembled for a five-day pre-validation workshop of the long-anticipated National Poultry Strategy. This gathering represents a pivotal move toward reducing the nation’s reliance on imported poultry and fostering a self-sufficient domestic supply.
Participants included poultry farmers, agricultural specialists, government officials, academic representatives, and local authorities—united by a shared commitment to rejuvenate and regulate the country’s poultry industry.
Reviving a Long-Ignored Strategy
Dr. Arthur Bob Karnuah, Director General of CARI and a former FAO expert, explained that the National Poultry Strategy was originally developed around five to six years ago with support from the FAO and during the CDC administration. Despite being the result of extensive collaboration with national stakeholders, the document had not been acted upon—until now.
“It’s long overdue,” Dr. Karnuah said. “But it’s encouraging to see the government now taking tangible steps to validate it and push the poultry sector forward. Liberia’s heavy dependence on imported poultry must come to an end.”
He highlighted the key pillars of the strategy:
- Data Collection: Creating a national inventory of poultry farmers at all levels.
- Human Resource Development: Training and equipping a competent workforce.
- Feed Production: Supporting local maize cultivation to reduce dependency on imported feed.
- Finance and Policy Support: Establishing financial aid and policy backing for poultry producers.
- Reliable Statistics: Ensuring the strategy is based on accurate and updated information.
- Infrastructure Development: Building processing facilities and hatcheries to support a complete poultry value chain.
“This strategy is more than paperwork,” he emphasized. “It serves as a blueprint for Liberia’s agricultural independence.”
Support from Local Authorities
Representing the Mayor of Gbarnga, Alex D. Mulbah Sr., administrative assistant, pledged full municipal support. “There are numerous small-scale poultry farmers in Gbarnga. With effective implementation, this strategy will help organize them into cooperatives and boost local production,” Mulbah noted.
He also expressed concern over the poor quality of imported poultry. “These imports often arrive in unacceptable condition, posing health risks to consumers. This policy is essential to ensure safe, locally-produced alternatives,” he added.
Strategy in Line with National Agenda
Hon. David K. Akoi, Deputy Minister for Development and Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture, aligned the poultry strategy with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda (Agenda for Reform and Transformation), which emphasizes agribusiness, infrastructure, governance, human development, sanitation, and tourism. (Liberia Endorses $8.4 Billion ARREST Agenda and County Development Plans.
“We must revise the strategy to match current challenges,” Hon. Akoi said. “It needs to address climate adaptation, updated production targets, and reliable data to fulfill the President’s goal of producing 500,000 birds per year.”
He noted that the Ministry’s agriculture budget has increased from under $5 million to more than $13 million, with $8 million specifically allocated under the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) to bolster the cultivation of poultry, rice, cassava, and maize.
“This initiative isn’t just about raising bird numbers,” Akoi emphasized. “It’s about strengthening market access for farmers, creating livelihoods, and enhancing national food security.”
He clarified the government’s position on imports: “We don’t need to ban imports. Instead, we must empower local producers. Once our farmers grow quality maize for feed, the market will naturally shift to domestic sources.”
Federation, Development Partners Applaud Progress
Joseph N. Kodah Sr., President of the Liberia Poultry Federation, commended the government’s renewed attention to a long-standing industry need. “Today is a major breakthrough,” he said. “We’ve been advocating for this strategy’s validation for years. Thanks to President Boakai and Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, we’re seeing real momentum.”
Kodah condemned the lack of regulation in the poultry market, which he believes has allowed the influx of unsafe and expired poultry products. “These substandard imports have contributed to health issues like kidney failure, hypertension, and skin conditions,” he warned.
He also highlighted the strategy’s plan to categorize poultry producers by scale—small, medium, and large—which will enable tailored support and investment. “You can’t treat every farmer the same,” Kodah said. “With this structure, the government can better assess who needs financing, training, or market access.”
BRAC Liberia also weighed in through its Technical Sector Officer, King J. Kerkula, who reflected on challenges the organization faced in the past. “In 2013, we produced over 125,000 day-old chicks and 672 metric tons of poultry meat annually, but we had to shut down due to weak local demand,” he said. “This new strategy gives us a chance to rebuild and thrive again.”
Government Investments and Regional Comparison
In a move to revitalize poultry infrastructure, the Liberian government launched a US$26 million agro-industrial poultry complex in 2023. The facility includes an integrated egg farm, feed mill, egg packaging station, and workshop center—designed to improve food security and lessen the country’s dependence on imported poultry.(Liberia invests US$26 million in construction of agro-industrial poultry complex | Food Business Africa – Africa’s No.1 Food & Beverage Manufacturing Industry Magazine and Website, )
Still, Liberia’s poultry output—15,000 metric tons in 2022, a 2.15% increase over the previous year—remains low compared to regional neighbors like Ghana (70.9 kt), Sierra Leone (21.6 kt), and Guinea (14.9 kt), underlining the urgent need for strategic interventions. (Poultry Meat Production rose 2.15% to 15.0 kt in Liberia in 2022 | Helgi Library)
Looking Ahead
With the pre-validation phase concluding, the next steps include incorporating feedback from participants, submitting the updated document to President Boakai for approval, and forwarding it to the National Legislature for legal endorsement.
Once adopted, the National Poultry Strategy will guide Liberia’s efforts to grow its domestic poultry sector—boosting production, job creation, food safety, and reducing reliance on imports.
As Kodah summarized, “This policy marks the beginning of a new era. It will bring structure, opportunity, and public health to the Liberian poultry industry.”
