Agriculture is the biggest sector of our economy and provides the main component of livelihood for the majority of people. Improvement in this sector is very important for the development of the whole country. The government of Liberia is however committed to the rebuilding of this vital sector. This is reflected in the Rising Vision 2030 and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). These policies recognize the need to transform smallholder subsistence agriculture into a more sustainable, modern, and market-oriented one.

The Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) in Liberia has a rich history. Originally established as the Central Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) in 1948, it was reorganized and renamed CARI in 1980. The institute is located in Suakoko, Bong County, about 180 km northwest of Monrovia.

CARI's mission is to conduct both adaptive and applied research in agriculture, focusing on enhancing food security, sustainable income generation, and poverty alleviation. Over the years, CARI has faced significant challenges, including devastation during the civil war, which severely damaged its infrastructure and scattered its staff. Despite these setbacks, CARI restarted operations in 2006 and has been gradually revitalizing its programs.

Today, CARI continues to play a crucial role in Liberia's agricultural development, collaborating with various stakeholders to create a national agricultural research system capable of generating innovation for agricultural growth.