The Ministry of Agriculture and the World Bank have launched a 10-day Implementation Support Mission (ISM) to evaluate Liberia’s flagship Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), a US$161 million intervention designed to improve rural livelihoods, expand agribusiness and build climate-smart agricultural systems nationwide.
The mission, running from November 3 to 12, 2025, is being led by the World Bank’s Task Team Leader, Dr Kadir Osman Gyasi.
Officials are reviewing project outcomes, identifying and issuing technical guidance to ensure the continued delivery of sustainable development for rural communities.
RETRAP, financed by the World Bank and implemented by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture, focuses on increasing rural household incomes and strengthening resilience by scaling sustainable farming, improving market access, and boosting high-value agricultural chains, particularly in cassava, rubber, and livestock production, including pigs and poultry.
Key infrastructure upgrades are underway, including road construction connecting Tappita to Zwedru and Toe Town to the Ivorian border, as well as the development of new rural marketplaces along the Ganta–Zwedru corridor.
These installations are expected to improve connectivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and unlock new trade opportunities for farmers and food producers.
Since 2023, RETRAP has disbursed US$10 million in matching grants to 64 agribusinesses, financing modern processing facilities and strengthening local value addition.
Beneficiaries include farmer cooperatives, small processors and emerging agripreneurs, many of whom have reported higher productivity and better access to domestic and regional markets.
During the mission, joint teams from the Ministry and the World Bank are conducting field visits across multiple counties to assess project sites, inspect infrastructure, and engage directly with farmers, processors and rural enterprises.
The delegation is evaluating everything from crop production and processing hubs to feeder roads and market facilities, gathering feedback to fine-tune implementation and maximise long-term impact.
Source: Front Page Africa
