The coffee sector in Liberia is set to create thousands of jobs for farmers following the signing of a 20-year partnership agreement between the Government of Liberia and JR Farms Group Inc., according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The agreement, signed through the Ministry of Agriculture, is expected to bring more than US$60 million in investment into the sector. It aims to support over 200,000 farmers, develop more than 250,000 hectares of coffee farms, plant 200 million coffee trees, and create over 300,000 jobs across the country.
Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah said the success of the partnership will be judged by the impact it has on the lives of ordinary Liberians.
“The true measure of our success will not be the signatures today on this document. It will be measured by the number of farmers empowered, jobs created, young people engaged, hectares developed, and livelihoods improved,” he said.
The partnership focuses on rebuilding Liberia’s coffee industry by providing training for farmers, improving access to quality seedlings, expanding processing facilities, and helping farmers reach larger markets.
The Ministry believes that the project will help revive Coffee Liberica, a coffee variety unique to Liberia that once earned international recognition but has seen production decline over the years.
JR Farms Group Chief Executive Officer Olawale Rotimi Oyeyemi said the agreement marks the beginning of a long-term effort to rebuild the industry.
“The signing is important, but it is only the beginning. The real work starts now,” he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs helped facilitate discussions that led to the agreement as part of the government’s efforts to attract investment and promote economic growth.
If fully implemented, the project could create new opportunities for farmers, increase exports, generate jobs for young people, and help restore Liberia’s standing in the global coffee market.
