Agriculture, food, and rural livelihoods
Climate-Smart and Sustainable Agriculture in Liberia
Liberia Civic agriculture collection
Climate-smart agriculture seeks better productivity and livelihoods, greater resilience, and—where possible—lower emissions. No single practice is climate-smart everywhere; choices must fit local land, water, crops, communities, and risks.
Risks farmers manage
Rainfall and heat
Late onset, dry spells, intense rain, floods, erosion, and heat can disrupt planting, growth, harvest, and storage.
Soil and water
Nutrient loss, compaction, erosion, waterlogging, and limited dry-season water affect productivity.
Pests and disease
Changing conditions can alter outbreaks and require surveillance, accurate diagnosis, and coordinated response.
Markets and livelihoods
Climate shocks affect roads, prices, labor, assets, food access, and the ability to invest in the next season.
Adaptation options
- Diverse crops, varieties, planting dates, income sources, and seed reserves
- Mulching, cover crops, rotations, compost, erosion barriers, and reduced bare soil
- Agroforestry and protection of useful trees, waterways, wetlands, and biodiversity
- Drainage, rainwater management, efficient irrigation, and safe water harvesting
- Weather and pest information combined with farmer observation and contingency plans
- Safer storage, insurance or savings, producer groups, and market diversification
Evaluate claims carefully
Ask whether a practice improves yield, income, resilience, labor demands, soil, water, biodiversity, and equity over several seasons. Consider tradeoffs and whether costs or risks are shifted to women, tenants, neighboring communities, or future land users.
Official framework
The National Agriculture Development Plan 2024–2030 calls for climate-adaptation technologies and sustainable productivity. CARI’s programs include natural-resource management, soil improvement, water management, and climate adaptation research.
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