IITA strengthens capacity of national systems in Liberia

13 February 2026

As part of a capacity-building intervention under the EU-funded Liberia Land and Soil Resources Knowledge Project (Soils4Liberia), IITA -CGIAR organized a specialized technical laboratory training on soil analysis, quality control, and the installation of an Atomic Absorption spectrometer (AAS) at the University of Liberia's Soil Testing, Plant and Water Analysis Laboratory on 2 - 9 February 2026.

The training facilitated by experts from IITA-CGIAR Nigeria and Cameroon, brought together 19 participants - nine men and ten women - from the University of Liberia (UL), the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), and the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI). With hands-on technical sessions, participants strengthened their capacity in soil analysis, laboratory quality control systems, and the operation of advanced analytical equipment.

The initiative reinforces IITA-CGIAR's contribution towards building national systems' capacity and supporting evidence-based agricultural transformation in Liberia.

The Soils4Liberia Project continues to play a pivotal role in improving knowledge and institutional capacity for sustainable land and soil management. Soil samples from the nationwide soil inventory and mapping will be analyzed at the University of Liberia Soil Laboratory, positioning the institution as a key national hub for soil research and data generation. The installation of the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS), provided under the project, will significantly enhance the precision and speed of soil nutrient analysis, supporting informed planning and decision-making for resilient agricultural systems.

The closing ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, Honorable Solomon Hedd-Williams, alongside the UL Dean of the William R. Tolbert Jr College of Agriculture and Forestry, Prof. Leroy Cegbe, and the Director of the UL Soil Laboratory, Dr Salia Sheriff. Also present were the Soils4Liberia Project Manager, Dr Abebe Shiferaw Dakka, Soil Scientist, Dr Samuel Mesele, and Joseph Uponi, Head of IITA Central Analytical Services.

In his closing remarks, Hon. Hedd-Williams emphasized the strategic importance of soil knowledge in national agricultural development, stating, "The Ministry is moving towards soil-driven agriculture, as poor knowledge of our soils has been a major factor behind low productivity." He further urged participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in supporting nationwide soil analysis efforts, adding, "The Ministry is transitioning from traditional extension services to expert-driven advisory support, and this capacity will be critical in guiding this transformation."

Through this intervention, IITA-CGIAR continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening national systems, advancing scientific excellence, and supporting sustainable agriculture and food systems in Liberia.

Contributed by Daniel Momo Sirleaf