The 2024 National Agriculture Trade Fair (NAF) provided a vibrant platform for showcasing Liberia’s agricultural innovation and potential. Held from December 5 to 7, 2024, at the Booker Washington Vocational Institute (BWI) in Kakata, Margibi County, the event brought together over 3,500 participants, including His Excellency President Joseph N. Boakai Sr., top government officials, and representatives from international organizations such as USAID, the EU, FAO, IFAD, and UN Women.
The fair, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), aimed to foster networking, share knowledge, and explore opportunities for strengthening Liberia’s agricultural sector. This year’s event prominently featured cassava—a staple crop vital to food security and economic growth—through the support of the EU-funded Cassava Transformation Project (CASTRAP).
CASTRAP facilitated the participation of three cassava processing enterprises from southeastern Liberia:
- Gbawanken Tendeh Rural Women (Maryland)
- Lydia Field Project (Grand Gedeh)
- Natemujee Agro Resource (NAR) (Sinoe)
These enterprises showcased their array of value-added products, including gari, deepah, super agro, acheke, fufu powder, starch, and tapioca. Collectively, they exhibited approximately 371.2 kg of cassava products, achieving sales of $1,035 during the three-day event.
By participating in the fair, these small and medium-sized enterprises not only promoted their products but also gained valuable exposure to potential buyers, partners, and policymakers. The Agribusiness and Enterprise Development Officer from CASRAP coordinated their efforts, ensuring a seamless showcase of their contributions to the cassava value chain.
The National Agriculture Trade Fair continues to be a cornerstone event for advancing Liberia’s agricultural sector. For the cassava processors, it represented an opportunity to highlight their innovative practices, enhance their market reach, and contribute to the broader goal of economic empowerment and food resilience in the region.
