The Community-Based Forestry and Protected Area Management (CBFM) project is not just about conservation-it is about empowering people, strengthening livelihoods, and boosting biodiversity, says FAO.
For decades, Liberia’s forests-rich in high conservation value-have been home to many communities, providing food, medicine, spiritual solace, economic opportunities, and shelter, yet facing ongoing threats.
With funding from the Government of Sweden, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), is making significant strides under the CBFM Project to create an enabling environment for sustainable forest management across seven counties within Liberia’s two main forest blocks.
Through collaboration with local NGOs, the Nature Compact, Sustainable Development Institute, and Foundation for Community Initiative, five applicant community forests covering approximately 70,024 hectares in Grand Cape Mount, Gpapolu, River Cess, Sinoe, and River Gee have been demarcated in accordance with the Community Rights law, empowering communities to manage their forests.
By supporting communities in establishing and strengthening governance structures and adopting sustainable practices, the project fosters a renewed sense of ownership and pride among residents.
A member of the Kiteapo applicant forest community shared, “Now we know how important the forest is to us. We understand it provides vital livelihoods.”
The sweetness of honey symbolizes more than just flavor—it represents increased income for local beekeepers. “Kuku Tarkwiah (also known as the Queen Bee),” chairperson of the Twah River Beekeepers Association, highlights this benefit.
Supported by FAO’s Forest and Farm Facility, the Association of Beekeepers Liberia (ABEL)—the national apex body for beekeepers—is assisting the Twah River Beekeepers Association (TRIBA) in Nimba County to add value to honey products and improve market access within Liberia.
ABEL has supplied vital equipment and provided training tailored to local beekeeping techniques. Crucially, they have helped beekeepers become savvy entrepreneurs, focusing on production, labeling, and branding to maximize product value. By collaborating, beekeepers are opening new markets, with honey branding becoming a fresh and exciting trend in Liberia—replacing the former practice of selling honey in bowls or reused bottles.
With FAO’s support, beekeepers now properly bottle, brand, and label honey, significantly boosting household incomes. This allows them to invest in additional hives and gradually increase their earnings. TRIBA members currently process up to 225 gallons of honey each season, selling it for about USD 25 (4,725 Liberian dollars).
The organization, which includes many women, has improved livelihoods for female beekeepers and enhanced nutrition for their families. Honey has become a symbol of prosperity for the Twah River clan. Membership in TRIBA has grown from 16 at its founding to 300 today, reflecting growing interest. This success is raising women’s status as business leaders and expanding opportunities for younger generations, whose parents can now better afford their education.
The National Agriculture Fair held from December 5–7, 2024, emphasized honey’s nutritional benefits and called for expanded beekeeping efforts nationwide.
FAO Strengthens Agricultural Capacity with Computer Donations to AITB and NFAA
In a move to boost Liberia’s agricultural development, FAO donated three desktop computers to the Agriculture Industry Training Bureau (AITB) and made a separate donation to the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA).
These donations support AITB and NFAA’s five-year strategic plans to enhance institutional efficiency and resilience in Liberia’s agricultural sector.
The handovers, conducted during brief ceremonies, underscore ongoing collaboration between FAO, NFAA, and AITB.
FAO Conducts Training to Combat Crop Pest Outbreaks
FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) concluded a three-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop from March 13 to 15, 2025, focused on preparedness and management of tree and crop defoliator outbreaks, specifically targeting the pest Achaea catocaloides (Guenée).
The workshop gathered extension workers, phytosanitary researchers, and officers from across Liberia to enhance skills in integrated pest management (IPM), pest monitoring, outbreak response, and pesticide safety. Ibrahim Ahmed, FAO ECTAD team lead, highlighted the training’s importance amid increasing climate-related pest threats.
Scaling Up Nutrition Movement (SUN) Wraps Up Annual Joint Assessment
Funded by the Government of Ireland through Irish Aid, the SUN initiative held a four-day annual joint assessment in Monrovia, gathering UN agencies, government ministries, civil society, and development partners. Participants reviewed progress, identified gaps, and planned coordinated strategies to accelerate Liberia’s nutrition goals. SUN National Coordinator Augustine Musa G. Musah emphasized the event’s critical role in aligning efforts and maximizing impact.
FAO Partners with University of Liberia to Develop Small-Scale Fisheries Curriculum
FAO is collaborating with the University of Liberia’s Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (DoFAS) to design and pilot a pioneering curriculum on small-scale fisheries. Based on insights from the global “Illuminating Hidden Harvests” study, the curriculum will equip future fisheries scientists and policymakers with practical knowledge on the social, economic, and environmental significance of small-scale fisheries. Representatives from FAO, Duke University, and Conservation International participated in a hybrid meeting to plan this innovative initiative aligned with global sustainability goals.
FAO Supports Youth Training on Food Security and Sustainability
On February 22, 2025, FAO provided technical support for a youth-focused training organized by the World Food Forum Liberia Chapter at the SOS Children’s Village Campus. The session empowered young people with knowledge and tools related to food systems, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and environmental stewardship, aiming to cultivate future leaders in food security and agricultural innovation.
FAO and NaFAA Renew Commitment to Fisheries Sector
On April 10, 2025, FAO representatives met with the Acting Director General of Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr., to discuss ongoing and planned interventions supporting sustainable fisheries management, capacity building, value chain development, and improved nutrition through fisheries.
Both parties expressed dedication to fostering innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
EU Ambassador Leads Delegation Visit to CBFM Project Site in Lofa
A high-level delegation led by the EU Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez, including ambassadors from Sweden, France, Ireland, and Germany, alongside FAO, UNDP, and FDA representatives, visited the Salayea Authorized Forest Community.
At a town hall meeting, the community forest governance leaders showcased the positive impacts of the CBFM project, including capacity building, sustainable livelihood initiatives; gender mainstreaming, and forest management planning.
Delegates encouraged the community to prioritize sustainable forest management and improved livelihoods, emphasizing that external support may not always be available.
