Atoms4Food Paves Way for Liberian Food Security

A country assessment mission under the Atoms4Food initiative, implemented by the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, has identified opportunities to strengthen food security, improve nutrition and boost agricultural productivity in Liberia. From 19 to 24 July 2026, 12 experts worked with national counterparts to assess challenges across the country's agrifood systems and to identify where nuclear and related technologies can deliver practical, science-based solutions.

The mission brought together government institutions, including the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, with laboratories, universities, research centres, farmers and development partners, to examine the entire agrifood value chain. Its findings will feed into a Country Assessment Report, which will form the basis of a national Action Plan guiding future investments, capacity building and technical cooperation activities under Atoms4Food.

Agriculture remains central to Liberia's economy and food security, providing livelihoods for much of the population. Yet productivity stays below its potential, constrained by challenges in crop production [LV1] , soil fertility, access to improved technologies and livestock development.

The mission paid particular attention to rice and cassava, Liberia's staple crops and a cornerstone of national food security. With domestic rice production still falling short of demand, the experts identified opportunities to strengthen crop breeding, seed systems and varietal evaluation so that higher-yielding, resilient varieties reach farmers faster. This builds on earlier IAEA technical cooperation support to Liberia in using nuclear techniques to develop improved rice varieties adapted to Liberia's growing conditions.

Soil acidity, declining fertility and limited soil-resource information also hold yields back. Nuclear and isotopic techniques can generate data on soil nutrient dynamics and water use, giving farmers and researchers the evidence to optimize fertilizer and water management and to build resilience to variable growing conditions.

Livestock offers further room for growth. Liberia is home to indigenous breeds such as N'Dama and Muturu cattle, well adapted to local conditions, but animal diseases and limited veterinary services continue to constrain productivity. The assessment highlighted ways to strengthen animal health services and disease surveillance, where nuclear-derived diagnostics allow the rapid detection and monitoring of livestock diseases, helping veterinary authorities respond to outbreaks and reduce losses for farmers.

"Liberia is committed to building a more productive, resilient and nutrition-sensitive agrifood system," said J. Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Agriculture, Liberia. "The assessment identified opportunities to integrate nuclear and related technologies into national programmes and institutions. Working with the IAEA and FAO, we aim to translate these opportunities into lasting benefits for farmers and communities across the country."

Nutrition emerged as an equally important priority. Liberia has made progress against malnutrition, but some 27 per cent of children under five are affected by stunting and more than 40 per cent of women of reproductive age are anaemic [source and year to be added], underscoring the need for stronger evidence to guide nutrition policy.

The mission identified opportunities to promote more nutritious diets through wider adoption of nutrient-rich crops, such as provitamin A-rich cassava and orange-fleshed sweet potato, and to strengthen capacities for food composition analysis. Stable isotope techniques can measure nutrient absorption and dietary quality, providing evidence to shape nutrition programmes and track progress towards national targets.

Food safety systems face important capacity constraints. The assessment found that limited laboratory infrastructure and testing capacity make it difficult to routinely monitor chemical and microbiological hazards in food, affecting both consumer protection and trade opportunities.

Experts highlighted opportunities to strengthen laboratory services, food testing and regulatory frameworks across the food control chain. Nuclear and related techniques improve the detection of contaminants and residues in food, generating the data needed to support food safety standards and confidence in local production.

The Country Assessment Report is expected to prioritize action across crop improvement, soil and water management, animal health, food safety and nutrition, while strengthening national institutions and technical capacities.

"Transforming agrifood systems requires coordinated action across agriculture, livestock, food safety and nutrition," said Saeed Abubakar Bancie, FAO Representative ad interim in Liberia. "This assessment demonstrated how nuclear and related technologies, combined with strengthened national capacities and partnerships, can help Liberia advance a One Health approach while building more resilient, productive, safe and nutrition-sensitive agrifood systems."

"Science-based evidence is essential for transforming agrifood systems," said Abdou Salam Ndiath, Section Head in the Division for Africa, IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation. "The assessment identified priority areas where nuclear and related technologies can support Liberia's efforts to improve food security, while informing policies, strengthening national capacities and guiding investments that deliver lasting benefits for farmers and communities."

Launched jointly by the IAEA and FAO in 2023, the Atoms4Food initiative helps countries apply nuclear and related technologies to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food safety systems, enhance nutrition and build resilience to variable growing conditions.