Agriculture Ministry to Host National Youth in Agriculture Forum
Bong County, March 19, 2026 – The Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to convene a National Youth in Agriculture Forum, a landmark initiative aimed at positioning young people as key drivers of the country’s agricultural transformation and food self-sufficiency agenda.
The announcement was made during ongoing nationwide engagements with farmers in Bong County, during which the Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, underscored the urgency of securing the sector's future by actively investing in Liberia’s youthful population.
“With more than 60 percent of our population being young people, the sustainability of agriculture depends on how effectively we bring them into the sector,” Dr. Nuetah stated. “This forum will serve as a national platform to engage, inspire, and empower the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
The planned forum will bring together young farmers, agripreneurs, policymakers, development partners, and private sector actors to explore opportunities across the agricultural value chain. Discussions will focus on innovation, agribusiness development, access to finance, modern farming technologies, and strategies to make agriculture more competitive and attractive to youth.
The initiative is being developed in collaboration with key partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and its concept is already in advanced stages of finalization. The forum is expected to be held in the coming weeks.
Dr. Nuetah emphasized that the forum forms part of a broader national strategy to transition from subsistence farming to a modern, mechanized, and business-oriented agricultural sector. Central to this effort is the expansion of mechanization services, including establishing mechanization centers equipped with tractors, power tillers, and other essential machinery to support farmers.
“Young people will not be drawn to agriculture if it remains labor-intensive and outdated,” Dr. Nuetah noted. “We are committed to creating a modern agricultural ecosystem where youth can see real economic opportunity.”
Early engagements with farmers across counties have already revealed growing interest among young people in venturing into agriculture, particularly when supported by the right tools, training, and incentives.
The Ministry views the National Youth in Agriculture Forum as a critical step toward building a resilient agricultural sector powered by innovation, inclusivity, and youth leadership.
