PROGRAM: Liberia
TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased Food Security in Targeted Areas, 669-004
STATUS: New
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $3,270,000 DA
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $2,665,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2001 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003

Summary: Of Liberia's estimated 2.6 million people, 55 percent live in rural areas, and 70 percent of the total labor force works in the agricultural sector. Total land area is 9.8 million hectares, while total arable land is estimated at 4.6 million hectares, with abundant water and natural resources. Before the civil war began in 1989, only about 634,000 hectares of the arable land were cultivated- mainly with rice and cassava (the two staple foods of Liberia). Liberians have other employment options, such as mining, logging, and rubber plantation work. However, the potential for increasing agricultural production is vast.

In FY 2001 USAID plans to obligate ($3,270,000) Development Assistance, agriculture sector. USAID assistance will alleviate food insecurity and promote effective food utilization. Assistance will increase the production and availability of diversified food crops and improves the marketing and distribution of local food products.

In FY 2002 USAID anticipates providing ($2,665,000) Development Assistance, agriculture sector. Assistance will increase the production and availability of diversified food crops and improves the marketing and distribution of local food products.

Key Results: During the period from 1997 to 1999, more than one million internally displaced persons and refugees permanently resettled in their home areas. USAID's focus on supporting agricultural sector recovery under the previous special objective was key to achieving this resettlement. According to a recent Food and Agriculture Organization assessment, rice production in 1999 was projected to be 85 percent of pre-war levels (up from just 30 percent in 1996). This implies a 20 percent increase over 1998, a 40 percent increase over 1997 and over 400 percent the level of rice production in 1996. This increased domestic food production implies reduced food aid needs and reduces the need for commercial imports, thus saving scarce foreign exchange.

Performance and Prospects: Under this objective, USAID will increase Liberia's food production by replenishing the seed supply, introducing improved farming practices, re-supplying the country's depleted poultry and livestock supply, improving the availability of agriculture inputs and services, and using food for work activities to rehabilitate infrastructure. This will lead to an increase in food security and employment opportunities and will decrease the dependency on international food aid programs. The marriage of food-for-work activities (income generation for self- sufficiency) and increasing food production (self-sustaining) is important to Liberia's transition from emergency to sustainable development. USAID is confident that it will continue to make significant progress under this Objective in supporting the recovery of agriculture in Liberia and increasing food and cash crop productivity.

Possible Adjustment to Plans: Under the new transition strategy (2001-2003), activities will be designed so that they complement and add value to activities planned under the democracy/governance (D/G) and agriculture special objectives. The Objective continues the basic agriculture related program elements of Transition Strategy 1 special objective - Successful Transition from Relief to Recovery Through a Community Reintegration Program 669-002 - in seeking to increase productivity and improve the quality of life. Doing so will contribute to USAID's goal of promoting the engagement of civil society in successful transition toward improved social, economic, and political conditions in Liberia. The Objective will also support US national interest by helping to alleviate food insecurity and promote effective food utilization. This will be achieved by increasing the production and availability of diversified food crops and improving the marketing and distribution of local food products.

Other Donor Programs: USAID and the European Union carry out similar activities and work closely with the Food and Agriculture Organization to mitigate the food security and other problems facing the newly resettled people in the rural areas. Other major bilateral and multilateral donors include the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, and Canada.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Current grantees and contractors include World Vision International, Lutheran World Federation, and Catholic Relief Service.

FY 2002 Performance Tables

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