Context

Agriculture and agro based industries in Liberia offer the greatest prospects for job creation both on a short- and long-term basis (PRS – page 60). Prior to the conflict, agriculture employed approximately 60% of the labor force, thus becoming the largest employer followed by government. However, following years of civil wars, Liberia today is one of the most foods-insecure countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite abundant sources of water and thriving vegetation. In addition to food insecurity, Liberia’s large and underemployed youth population remains basis for concern. Unless they are engaged in productive activities, the unmet frustrations of majority of Liberian youth may serve as a justification for a return to conflicts and crimes.

The Intervention

The project aimed to address this ‘twin pandemic of food insecurity and youth unemployment’ by creating agro-base corporative and jobs, improving youths’ employability and food security. The project trained 200 at-risk youth between age 16 and 35 in clusters of five (5) to ten (10) communities per districts/county.

These activities included but organic fruits and vegetables farming; seeds production, local food processing and packaging; developing small agro enterprises; cultivating small scales oil palm and rubber farms as well as tropical root and tuber crops. Local processing and preservation were integrated with small business development and management trainings, basic reading and numeric skills.

Results:

• Two hundred (200) ‘model farmers’ trained in Core Groups and Farmers Field School (FFS) approaches.
• Five Cooperative/Livelihood Enhancement Groups/ Core Groups organized with youths from surrounding communities that are pursuing agricultural livelihoods.
• Increased numbers of at-risk youths have access to wage or self-employment opportunities through cultivation of various vegetables, fruits and tuber crops all year around – at least 100 jobs or small agro enterprises created.
• Livelihoods and employment opportunities available to at least 150 youths through contract farming; placement in major agriculture companies or development of agro enterprises. Stable and functional communities created because of project.

Key facts

Sector: Women and Youths’ socioeconomic empowerment. 
Domain: Livelihoods, Gender Equality and incomes generations
Benefiting zone: Liberia
Nature:  Grant
Duration: 2012 – 2014
Status: Completed