On July 21, 2025, in a meaningful gesture of inter-agency cooperation, Mr. Jobson A. Momo, Director General of the Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA), formally handed over the keys to a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV previously assigned to him under the RETRAP Project to Dr. Arthur Bob Karnuah, Director General of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI). This vehicle significantly enhances CARI’s logistical capacity, facilitating efficient staff movement to support agricultural field research and operations.

The two Directors General expressed mutual appreciation for the continued partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Liberia’s agricultural research and seed development efforts. They emphasized that collaborative leadership is essential to addressing national agricultural challenges through adaptive and applied research aimed at fostering innovation, resilience, and food security.

The Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) is Liberia’s principal public agricultural research institution. Originally established as the Central Agricultural Experimental Station (CAES) in the 1980s, CARI evolved into a regional hub of excellence in applied research before suffering extensive setbacks during Liberia’s civil crisis.

Today, CARI faces challenges such as limited human and financial resources, which constrain the full implementation of its research programs. To address these gaps, CARI has developed a comprehensive Agricultural Research Strategic Plan that outlines new organizational structures, research priorities, and capacity-building activities. These are aligned with key national policies, including:

• The National Food Security and Nutrition Strategy (2008)
• The Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (2018)
• The Liberia Agriculture Sector Investment Program (LASIP II 2018–2021)

CARI’s research is structured around seven key thematic programs:

1. Crops Research

2. Livestock and Fisheries

3. Natural Resource Management

4. Agricultural Biotechnology and Laboratory Services

5. Mechanization and Irrigation

6. Socio-Economics and Applied Statistics

7. Post-Harvest Handling and Food Processing

The overarching objective is to develop and promote demand-driven agricultural technologies that contribute to Liberia’s economic development, food security, and poverty reduction.

Established under the Liberia Seed Act of 2019, the Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA) serves as the national regulatory authority for seed certification, policy coordination, and industry development. The Agency plays a lead role in ensuring seed quality, regulating seed-related activities, and supporting the growth of Liberia’s seed industry.

SDCA’s Core Functions

According to the Seed Act, the Agency is responsible for:

• Seed certification, quality control, and enforcement of seed regulations
• Developing legislation and researching seed testing, registration, production, marketing, and use
• Coordinating seed import/export and quarantine procedures
• Designing improved management systems for national seed programs
• Advising the Government on financing, organization, and development of the seed sector
• Monitoring seed market trends and guiding national research priorities
• Evaluating and improving the performance of Liberia’s seed system

Through this strengthened partnership with CARI, SDCA reinforces its role in supporting agricultural innovation and resilience across Liberia.