Outline of the Project

Project Name

Improving Rice Production for Smallholders Project (LibRice)

Subject

Agricultural/Rural Development

Country

Liberia

Date R/D Signed

Jan. 7, 2021

Project Site

Bong County

Term of Cooperation

May 31, 2021 to May 30, 2025

Implementing Organization

Department of Regional Development, Research and Extension, Ministry of Agriculture

Background

Rice consumption per capita in Liberia, where rice is a staple food, is one of the highest in the world. However, rice yield in the country has been low over a long period (averaging 1.3 ton/ha), and 60% of domestic consumption depends on imported rice. In the "Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development," which is a mid-term development plan of the current government, an increase of domestic rice production is an important strategic activity from the viewpoint of food security and employment promotion. The project, which develops and disseminates rice cultivation techniques suitable for Liberia, contributes to the achievement of this government plan as well as SDGs Goal 2.

Furthermore, Liberia is one of the participating countries in the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) initiative for rice development led by Japan, and the project contributes to achievement of the target of CARD Phase 2, which is doubling African rice production.

The Overall Goal

Rice yield are increased in the model communities and neighboring communities.

Project Purpose

Average rice yield of participating farmers groups is increased in the model communities.

Outputs

1. Conventional rice cultivation techniques are improved.
2. Improved rice cultivation techniques are disseminated to farmers.
3. Capacity for conducting group activities in the trial fields by participating farmers groups is empowered.
4. Monitoring and evaluation capacity of MOA for improving rice production is enhanced.

Project Activities

0-1.	Conduct situation and baseline surveys in the model communities and trial fields (including farming, mechanization, rice market, and existing farmers groups).
0-2.	Identify the model communities and trial fields (irrigated and inland valley swamp) collaborating with DRDRE and Bong County Agricultural Office.
0-3.	Select the service providers (SPs) (e.g., NGO).
0-4.	Clarify the roles of stakeholders of the Project (DRDRE, Bong County Agricultural Office, SPs, Representative s of farmers groups).

1-1.	Plan rice cultivation trials in the trial fields of participating farmers groups.
1-2.	Conduct rice cultivation trials in the trial fields for improvement of rice cultivation techniques.
1-3.	Assess the result of rice cultivation trials.
1-4.	Repeat the activity 1-1 to 1-3.
1-5.	Develop appropriate rice cultivation techniques in the model communities and trial fields*4.

2-1.	Prepare tools and manuals on rice cultivation for extension officials and SPs based on the existing tools and manuals.
2-2.	Conduct training for extension officials and SPs by using the tools and manuals prepared.
2-3.	Prepare tools and manuals for farmers based on those for extension officials and SPs.
2-4.	Extension officials and SPs conduct training for farmers groups on the improved rice cultivation techniques by using trial fields.
2-5.	Extension officials and SPs conduct seminars for farmers groups on the improved rice techniques.
2-6.	Conduct knowledge management and exchange site visits among participating farmers groups and neighboring farmers in and outside of the model communities.
2-7.	Share good practices of the improved rice cultivation techniques with the stakeholders and DPs.

3-1.	Prepare tools and manuals on group empowerment for extension officials and SPs based on the existing tools and manuals.
3-2.	Conduct group empowerment training for extension officials and SPs by using the tools and manuals prepared.
3-3.	Prepare tools and manuals on group empowerment for farmers groups.
3-4.	Extension officials and SPs conduct training for farmers groups on the farmers group empowerment.
3-5.	Make annual action plans of farmers groups.
3-6.	Extension officials and SPs conduct seminars on farmers group empowerment for farmers groups*5.

4-1.	Identify monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system of the rice production techniques and extension in MOA.
4-2.	Discuss how to improve the M&E system.
4-3.	Share the progress of M&E-related activities conducted by MOA with stakeholders.
4-4.	Review and revise the manuals prepared by the Project as needed.

Inputs

Japanese side

1. Dispatch Japanese experts
2. Provide equipment and materials
3. Dispatch the Counterpart staff to JICA's rice cultivation training courses in Japan/third country
4. Provide Activity cost

Liberian side

1. Appoint the Counterpart personnel
2. Ensure the office space in the Bong County Agricultural Office
3. Ensure utilization of the trial fields, associated facilities and equipment
4. Incur the local cost