-Targets 300 Thousand New Jobs Across Liberia
GBARNGA, Bong County – More than 150 young people from Bong, Nimba, and Lofa counties gathered in Gbarnga on Tuesday, June 9,2026 as the Government of Liberia intensified efforts to prepare a new generation of agripreneurs and business leaders for a major coffee revival initiative expected to create more than 300,000 jobs nationwide.
The Youth and Farmers Engagement Forum brought together youth leaders, farmers, local authorities, development partners, and representatives of JR Farms Group, which recently signed a 20-year partnership agreement with the Government of Liberia to revitalize the country’s coffee industry through investments exceeding US$60 million.
The engagement focused on opportunities in coffee production, agribusiness, processing, and value addition. Organizers also used the forum to identify young people already involved in agriculture who could benefit from training and future partnerships in seed multiplication and other agricultural ventures.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, Deputy Minister for Regional Development, Research and Extension, Hon. Moses R. Gbanyan, said Liberia’s agricultural transformation agenda is aimed at reducing dependence on imports while creating economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities.
“For far too long, Liberia has depended heavily on imports while vast agricultural opportunities remain underutilized. We must transform agriculture into a modern, competitive, and profitable sector capable of creating wealth and improving livelihoods across our country,” the Minister’s message stated.
According to government projections, the coffee initiative is expected to benefit more than 200,000 farmers through the development of over 250,000 hectares of coffee plantations during the next two decades.
The project is anticipated to create jobs, strengthen rural economies, and increase Liberia’s export earnings.
Encouraging young people to embrace opportunities within the sector, Deputy Minister Gbanyan emphasized that agriculture has evolved beyond traditional farming and now offers a wide range of career paths.
“Agriculture is no longer limited to traditional farming. It now encompasses agribusiness, technology, mechanization, processing, logistics, marketing, financial services, and export opportunities,” the Minister’s message noted.
Participants were also given the opportunity to engage directly with government officials and private sector representatives on how communities can benefit from investments across the coffee value chain.
The forum forms part of ongoing consultations between the Government of Liberia and JR Farms Group as preparations continue for what is expected to become one of the largest agricultural investment initiatives in Liberia’s recent history.
Officials expressed optimism that the project will not only revive Liberia’s coffee industry but also create sustainable employment opportunities for thousands of young people while contributing to national economic growth.
They noted that by investing in coffee production, processing, and export, Liberia has the potential to reclaim its place as a competitive player in the global coffee market.
Stakeholders at the forum emphasized that the initiative represents more than an agricultural investment; it is a pathway to economic empowerment, rural development, and long-term prosperity for farming communities.
They expressed confidence that increased youth participation in agribusiness will help drive innovation, improve productivity, and strengthen food security across the country.
As preparations for implementation continue, government officials and private sector partners reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that local communities, particularly young people and smallholder farmers, remain at the center of the initiative’s benefits.
The project is expected to serve as a catalyst for broader agricultural transformation and inclusive economic development throughout Liberia.
