FAO with Support from the European Union Handover Equipment to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Agriculture Research Institute

Gardnesville, Liberia - December 1, 2020 – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with support from the European Union (EU) handed over several equipment to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) to strengthen Liberia’s agricultural sector in the areas of research and extension services. Madam Mariatou Njie, FAO Country Representative, along with Mr. Ivan Borisavljevic, EU Representative for Head of Section and Resilience Cooperation presented the equipment to Honorable Jeanine Milly Cooper, Minister of Agriculture.

The equipment which included projectors, laptops, monitors and printers amongst others were procured by the European Union project ’’Linking Extension and Research to Farmers for Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition”.

Madam Njie expressed that FAO intends to set up video conferencing facilities for research purposes, enhance extension through training and capacity development for smallholder farmers as well as provide logistical support to facilitate agricultural extension and advisory services to the MoA and CARI.

While receiving the equipment, Minister Cooper thanked the European Union for supporting Liberia’s agriculture sector. She stated, “we are thankful to our international partners for the numerous support towards smallholder farmers. We will make sure that the equipment provided will be used to improve the work of the ministry and CARI in order to move agriculture forward”.

Also present at the ceremony, EU Representative for Head of Section and Resilience Cooperation, Mr. Ivan Borisavljevic said that the EU remains committed to supporting agriculture in Liberia. According to him, the EU supports agriculture, forestry, and fisheries to boost the country’s economy.

The equipment handed over and projects implemented demonstrate FAO’s continued support to the Ministry of Agriculture and CARI and that agriculture remains important to Liberia’s development.

Media Contact:

Mr. Michael Cooper

Communications Specialist

FAO-Liberia

Email: [email protected]

Office Cell:+231776737529