Food and Agriculture Policy and Strategy (FAPS) (2008-2013).

The Food and Agriculture Policy and Strategy (FAPS) (2008-2013) is aligned with the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) setting out a framework equitable, and inclusive growth, poverty reduction and progress towards achieving the millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The key challenges of the FAPS are as follows: ensuring access, both physical and economical, of the population to nutritious food, by rebuilding farm-to-market roads and enhancing incomes; reforming the MOA and building its capacity for effective and efficient performance of its functions, particularly in the areas of policy and planning, coordination and regulation, and resource mobilization and direction to the sector; strengthening key agricultural institutions that were damaged or destroyed during the civil conflict; and respond to the food crisis in Liberia, including providing food assistance to vulnerable groups that are severely food insecure. Policy 1: Improved Food and Nutrition Security: Safe and nutritious foods are always available in sufficient quantity and quality to satisfy the nutritional needs for optimal health of all Liberians, throughout their life cycles. Strategies improving food availability; enhance accessibility of the population to nutritious food; promoting improved food utilization; contribute to resettlement and reintegration programs; and support rural employment.

FAPS Objectives are: to undertake planning, delivery of services and monitoring activities, while mitigating risks to producers and mainstreaming gender and youth considerations in all activities. Sector Policies and strategies; reduce the illegal fishing and increasing the value added from catches and maximizing sustainable yield; enhancing the enabling environment for agriculture sector growth and development, including increasing private sector investments, by interventions such as undertaking land reforms that will allow for longer term planning, utilization and investments; reduce deforestation, slash-and-burn cultivation, and tree cutting for firewood and charcoal, which degrade habitats and deplete natural resources; provide greater opportunities for women and youth in agriculture, especially the formal sector.

Enhanced, inclusive and pro-poor growth and poverty reduction through agricultural production, productivity, competitiveness and diversification.

The key challenges of the FAPS are as follows: Increase productivity and incomes of subsistence farmers, by transforming them into commercial farmers through the adoption of new techniques and technologies, improving access to seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs, diversifying their enterprises and strengthening linkages to output markets; restoring value chains and increasing community and Private Sector participation in supply and value chains; Policy 2: Enhanced Competitiveness and Linkages to Markets: enhanced, inclusive and pro-poor growth in agricultural production, productivity, competitiveness, value addition, diversification and linkages to markets. Strategies: enhance the efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability of the food and agriculture supply chains, particularly for small holders, and link them to markets; create more and better opportunities for involvement of the private sector in agriculture; increase public investments and create an enabling environment for agricultural and agribusiness development. Policy 3: Strengthened Human and Institutional Capacities: strong and efficient human and institutional capacities of the public sector, civil society organizations and the private sector carrying out effective planning, delivery of services, coordination and monitoring activities in the sector and sustainable use of natural resources, mitigating risks to producers, mainstreaming gender and youth considerations in planning and implementation of activities in the sector. Strategies: improved governance, promoting civil society organizations, and facilitating decentralized service delivery; establish functional, effective and efficient public sector support framework in agriculture; reduce risks and improve coping mechanisms; mainstreaming gender and youth in agriculture and rural development.

The policy also aims at enabling more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The objective is to improve access to productive resources and services and create economic opportunities for small farmers, women and young farmers, and indigenous people, particularly in poor, marginal areas. The strengthening of institutional capacities to provide effective support in marketing and trade, research and extension, as well as relevant education and training, is envisaged too.