Food and Enterprise Development (FED) Program for Liberia Monthly Report August 2012

The program aims to help the government of Liberia and the country achieve food security by building an indigenous incentive structure that assists a range of agricultural stakeholders to adopt commercial approaches. This incentive structure will be built upon improved technology for productivity and profitability, expanded and modernized input supply and extension systems, commercial production, marketing, and processing, enterprise services, and workforce development. FED's activities will work with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the private sector to link communities to agricultural inputs, extension services, nutritious food products, processing services, market information, transportation, credit, and appropriate education, training, and enterprise services. The program will focus on increasing agricultural productivity, stimulating private enterprise, and building local human capacity. In August 2012, FED implemented several activities under its three components. Component One, Increased Agricultural Productivity, focused on improving access to quality agro-inputs, increasing production and profitability of quality rice and cassava, and peri-urban vegetable production. The Doumpa Community Agriculture Project was also implemented, which aimed to improve agricultural productivity and income of smallholder farmers. Component Two, Stimulate Private Enterprise, focused on providing targeted technical support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), profiling commercial buyers and lead producers, and adapting and piloting enterprise development curricula. The program also conducted a survey for loan products and financial service partners and increased enterprise registration and local government engagement. Component Three, Build Local Human Capacity, focused on creating centers of excellence, including the Booker Washington Institute, Grand Bassa County Community College, and Nimba County Community College. The program also implemented an internship program, conducted training activities, and monitored and evaluated its progress. In August 2012, FED conducted several training activities, including a training on integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) and a training on market development. The program also implemented a market development fund and conducted a site visit to assess its progress. A U.S. State Department delegation team visited FED activities in August 2012 to assess the program's progress and provide technical assistance. The geographic reach of FED includes several counties in Liberia, including Grand Bassa, Nimba, and Margibi. The program has established partnerships with several local organizations, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). FED's activities are expected to contribute to the achievement of food security in Liberia by increasing agricultural productivity, stimulating private enterprise, and building local human capacity.