Ndindeng, Sali Atanga, Sanni Lateef & Fregene Bernadette SEEDS4LIBERIA PROJECT COORDINATION UNIT Seeds4Liberia Scaling for Impact Report 2024–2025: Advancing Seed System Governance, EGS Production, and Multi- Value-Chain Innovation in Liberia Table of Contents List of Figures ............................................................................................................... 8 1. Executive Summary ................................................................................................... 9 2. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 12 3. Methodology ........................................................................................................... 16 3.1 Pillar 1 — Foundational Diagnostics and Market Intelligence ................................. 16 3.2 Pillar 2 — Institutional Capacity Strengthening for Early Generation Seed Systems . 17 3.3 Pillar 3 — Private Sector Engagement and Professionalization of Seed Producers ... 18 3.4 Pillar 4 — Demonstrations, Adaptive Trials, and Piloting ........................................ 19 3.5 Pillar 5 — Quality Assurance and Regulatory System Strengthening ....................... 20 3.6 Pillar 6 — Monitoring, Learning, and Evidence-Based Scaling (S4I Framework) ....... 20 4. Key Results ............................................................................................................. 21 4.1 Outcome 1 – Improved Knowledge and Market Intelligence ................................... 21 4.2 Outcome 2 – Enhanced Public Institutional Capacity for EGS Production ............... 23 4.2.1 Infrastructure Development and Rehabilitation .............................................. 23 4.2.2 Training and Technical Capacity Development ............................................... 24 4.3 Outcome 3 – Strengthened Private Sector Capacity and Seed Enterprise Formation 25 4.3.1 Mapping and Selection of Seed Enterprises ................................................... 25 4.4 Outcome 4 – Quality Assurance and Certification through SDCA Operationalization26 4.5 Outcome 5 – Production and Supply of Quality Seeds and Fingerlings .................... 27 4.6 Cross-Cutting Achievements .............................................................................. 29 5. Technology Deployment ........................................................................................... 30 5.1 Rice Technology Deployment (AfricaRice) ............................................................ 30 5.1.1 Deployment of Improved Rice Varieties ......................................................... 30 5.1.2 Deployment of Seed Production and Quality Tools ......................................... 31 5.1.3 Deployment of On-Farm Mechanization Technologies .................................... 31 5.2 Cassava Technology Deployment (IITA) ................................................................ 32 5.2.1 SAH Technology Deployment ........................................................................ 32 5.2.2 Deployment of Elite Cassava Varieties ........................................................... 32 5.2.3 Cassava Seed Production and Certification Technologies ............................... 32 5.2.4 Digital and Management Tools ...................................................................... 33 5.3 Soybean Technology Deployment (IITA) ................................................................ 33 5.3.1 Deployment of Improved TGx Varieties .......................................................... 33 5.3.2 Deployment of Soybean EGS Technologies .................................................... 33 5.3.3 Deployment of Demonstration and Adaptive Trial Packages ............................ 33 5.4 Coffee Technology Deployment (IITA) ................................................................... 34 5.4.1 Deployment of High-Performance Coffee Seedlings ....................................... 34 5.4.2 Deployment of Germplasm Conservation Technologies .................................. 34 5.4.3 Climate-Smart and Agroforestry Technologies ............................................... 34 5.5 Fish Technology Deployment (WorldFish) ............................................................. 35 5.5.1 Deployment of Cohort Breeding System (CBS) ............................................... 35 5.5.2 Deployment of Indoor Hatchery and Filtration Systems................................... 35 5.5.3 Deployment of Fish Feed Production Technology ........................................... 35 5.5.4 Deployment of Community-Based Production Models ................................... 35 5.6 Cross-Cutting Technology Deployment ................................................................ 36 6. Seed System Development (Draft | 3.5–4 pages) ........................................................ 37 6.1 National Seed Governance and Regulatory System Strengthening ......................... 37 6.2 Strengthening Public Institutions for Early Generation Seed (EGS) Production ........ 39 6.2.1 Rice EGS System (AfricaRice + CARI + SDCA) ................................................. 39 6.2.3 Soybean EGS System (IITA + CARI) ................................................................ 40 6.2.4 Coffee Seed & Seedling System (IITA + CARI) .................................................. 41 6.2.5 Fish Fingerling Production System (WorldFish + NaFAA + CARI) ....................... 41 6.3 Strengthening Private Sector Seed Supply Systems .............................................. 42 6.3.1 Rice Certified Seed Clusters ......................................................................... 42 6.3.2 Cassava FSP Network .................................................................................. 43 6.3.3 Soybean Seed Farmer Groups ....................................................................... 43 6.3.4 Coffee Nursery Networks ............................................................................. 43 6.3.5 Fish CBSE–CBSP Networks ........................................................................... 43 6.4 Seed Certification and Quality Assurance Mechanisms ........................................ 44 6.5 Seed System Integration and Scaling Pathways .................................................... 44 7. Cross-Cutting Performance ...................................................................................... 45 7.1 Gender Inclusion and Empowerment ................................................................... 45 7.1.1 Women’s Participation in Training and Enterprise Formation ........................... 45 7.1.2 Reduction of Work Burden Through Mechanization ......................................... 46 7.1.3 Pathways for Women’s Empowerment ........................................................... 46 7.2 Youth Engagement and Skill Development ........................................................... 47 7.2.1 Structured Internship Programs .................................................................... 47 7.2.2 Agribusiness Opportunities for Youth ............................................................ 47 7.3 Climate-Smart Agriculture and Resilience Building ............................................... 48 7.3.1 Climate-Resilient Varieties and Species ........................................................ 48 7.3.2 Climate-Smart Management Practices .......................................................... 48 7.4 Digitalization and Data Systems .......................................................................... 48 7.5 Capacity Development and Human Resource Strengthening ................................. 49 7.5.1 Public Sector Capacity ................................................................................. 49 7.5.2 Farmer and Enterprise-Level Capacity ........................................................... 49 7.6 Multi-Stakeholder Coordination and Policy Influence ............................................ 50 8. Country Performance .............................................................................................. 51 8.1 Bong County ...................................................................................................... 51 8.2 Lofa County ....................................................................................................... 52 8.3 Nimba County .................................................................................................... 53 8.4 Margibi County ................................................................................................... 54 8.5 Montserrado County ........................................................................................... 55 8.6 Summary of Country Performance ...................................................................... 56 9. Gender & Youth ....................................................................................................... 57 9.1 Gender Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment .................................................... 57 9.1.1 Women in Training and Capacity Development............................................... 58 9.1.2 Women’s Enterpreneurship and Income Opportunities ................................... 59 9.1.3 Reducing Women’s Work Burden Through Technology .................................... 59 9.2 Youth Engagement and Empowerment ................................................................ 59 9.2.1 Structured Internship Programs Across Value Chains ..................................... 60 9.2.3 Youth Leadership in Farmer Field Business Schools (FFBS) ............................. 62 9.3 Gender- and Youth-Responsive Scaling Pathways ................................................. 62 10. Digitalization ......................................................................................................... 63 10.1 Digital Tools for Seed Quality Assurance and Testing ........................................... 63 10.1.1 S21 Rice Statistical Analyzer ....................................................................... 63 10.1.2 Digital Seed Inspection and Certification Templates ..................................... 64 10.2 Digital Systems for Data Collection, Monitoring, and Reporting ............................ 64 10.2.1 Standardized Project M&E Templates .......................................................... 64 10.2.2 Digital Tracking of SAH Cassava Multiplication ............................................. 65 10.2.3 Aquaculture Digital Logs for Hatchery Operations ........................................ 65 10.3 Digitalization for Value Chain Market Intelligence ................................................ 65 10.4 Digital Support for Training and Capacity Development ....................................... 66 10.5 Integrating Digitalization Into Future Scaling Pathways ........................................ 67 11. Capacity Development .......................................................................................... 68 11.1 Strengthening Institutional Capacity .................................................................. 68 11.1.1 Capacity Strengthening at CARI................................................................... 68 11.1.2 Strengthening the Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA) ......... 69 11.1.3 Strengthening NaFAA and Aquaculture Institutions ....................................... 69 11.2 Building Capacity of Extension Services and County Authorities .......................... 69 11.3 Capacity Development of Farmers, Seed Producers, and Value Chain Actors ....... 70 11.3.1 Rice Seed Producers and Growers ............................................................... 70 11.3.2 Cassava Foundation Seed Producers (FSPs) ................................................ 71 11.3.3 Soybean Farmer Training ............................................................................ 71 11.3.4 Coffee Cooperatives and Nursery Managers ................................................ 72 11.3.5 Fish Farmers, CBSPs, and CBSEs ................................................................ 72 11.4 Youth Capacity Development Through Internships .............................................. 73 11.5 Farmer Field Business Schools (FFBS) and ToT Cascades .................................... 73 11.6 Strengthening Management, Governance, and Coordination Capacity ................. 74 12. Lessons Learned ................................................................................................... 75 12.1 Institutional & Governance Lessons ................................................................... 75 12.1.1 A strong national seed governance body is indispensable ............................. 75 12.1.2 Multi-institution collaboration accelerates progress ..................................... 75 12.2 Technical Lessons ............................................................................................ 76 12.2.1 Early Generation Seed (EGS) production requires intensive technical support 76 12.2.2 New technologies require phased introduction and continuous mentoring .... 76 12.3 Capacity Development Lessons ........................................................................ 76 12.3.1 Internships and youth placements create strong technical pipelines ............. 76 12.3.2 Farmer Field Business Schools (FFBS) foster ownership and adoption ........... 77 12.4 Gender & Social Inclusion Lessons .................................................................... 77 12.4.1 Women excel when technologies reduce labor and offer income potential ..... 77 12.4.2 Social norms influence participation—strategic targeting works .................... 78 12.5 Operational, Logistical & Implementation Lessons ............................................. 78 12.5.1 Timely procurement and logistics are critical for biological systems .............. 78 12.5.2 Infrastructure readiness determines implementation speed ......................... 78 12.5.3 Effective communication across CGIAR centers ensures coherence ............. 78 12.6 Strategic Lessons for Scaling ............................................................................. 79 13. Challenges ............................................................................................................ 79 13.1 Institutional and Governance Challenges ........................................................... 80 13.1.1 Emerging but still fragile national seed regulatory system .............................. 80 13.1.2 Coordination gaps across national institutions ............................................. 80 13.2 Technical Challenges ........................................................................................ 80 13.2.1 Early Generation Seed (EGS) production is highly sensitive to timing .............. 80 13.2.2 New technologies require extensive supervision and adaptation ................... 80 13.2.3 Climate and agroecological variability affected field performance ................. 81 13.3 Community-Level and Private Sector Challenges ................................................ 81 13.3.1 Limited experience among new Foundation Seed Producers (FSPs) ............... 81 13.3.2 Private seed enterprises still weak and fragmented....................................... 81 13.3.3 Gender-specific barriers persist .................................................................. 81 13.4 Infrastructure and Logistics Challenges ............................................................. 82 13.4.1 Delays in procurement and equipment delivery ............................................ 82 13.4.2 Infrastructure weaknesses at county level ................................................... 82 13.4.3 Hatchery and pond construction delays ...................................................... 82 13.5 Human Resource and Capacity Challenges ........................................................ 82 13.5.1 High turnover of trained staff at county level................................................. 82 13.5.2 Limited technical manpower for continuous field monitoring ........................ 83 13.6 Data, Monitoring, and Reporting Challenges ....................................................... 83 13.6.1 Digital adoption varies across counties ........................................................ 83 13.6.2 Gaps in data completeness and validation ................................................... 83 14. Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................... 84 14.1 Strengthening Institutional and Governance Systems ......................................... 84 14.1.1 Consolidating SDCA as the national certification authority............................ 84 14.1.2 Reinforced inter-agency coordination frameworks ........................................ 85 14.2 Technical and Agronomic Mitigation Measures ................................................... 85 14.2.1 Strengthening EGS production systems ....................................................... 85 14.2.2 Improved supervision for new technologies ................................................. 85 14.2.3 Climate adaptation and risk reduction ......................................................... 86 14.3 Strengthening Farmer, FSP, CBSP, and Private Sector Capacity ............................ 86 14.3.1 Enhanced training and follow-up for FSPs and seed enterprises .................... 86 14.3.2 Strengthening private-sector emergence ..................................................... 86 14.4 Infrastructure, Procurement, and Logistics Mitigation ......................................... 87 14.4.1 Addressing procurement delays .................................................................. 87 14.4.2 Accelerating aquaculture infrastructure development .................................. 87 14.4.3 Improving county-level infrastructure support .............................................. 87 14.5 Mitigation Measures for Gender and Social Inclusion .......................................... 88 14.5.1 Targeted support to women-led enterprises and FFBS .................................. 88 14.5.2 Youth retention and engagement strategies .................................................. 88 14.6 Strengthening Data, Digitalization, and Monitoring .............................................. 88 14.6.1 Improving digital tool adoption across counties ............................................ 88 14.6.2 Enhancing data validation and reporting discipline ....................................... 89 15. Strategic Recommendations .................................................................................. 89 15.1 Strengthen Governance, Coordination, and National Ownership ......................... 90 15.1.1 Consolidate SDCA as a fully functional national seed authority ..................... 90 15.1.2 Institutionalize inter-agency coordination frameworks .................................. 90 15.2 Strengthen Early Generation Seed (EGS) and Technology Deployment Systems .... 91 15.2.1 Establish a national EGS calendar and harmonized production systems ........ 91 15.2.2 Expand demonstration, mentorship, and adaptive research platforms ........... 91 15.3 Strengthen Institutional Capacity for Sustainable Scaling .................................... 91 15.3.1 Invest in long-term capacity development for public institutions (CARI, SDCA, NaFAA) ................................................................................................................ 91 15.3.2 Strengthen county extension capacity and continuity ................................... 92 15.4 Promote Private Sector Development and Inclusive Market Systems .................... 92 15.4.1 Build a strong private seed enterprise ecosystem ......................................... 92 15.4.2 Strengthen private sector participation in aquaculture .................................. 92 15.5 Deepen Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion ...................................................... 93 15.5.1 Expand women-led and youth-led enterprise models ................................... 93 15.5.2 Support long-term retention of youth through employment pathways ............ 93 15.6 Strengthen Digitalization and Data Management ................................................ 94 15.6.1 Scale digital certification, traceability, and monitoring .................................. 94 16. Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 95 Final Remark .............................................................................................................. 97 List of Figures Figure 1: Early maturing, high yielding, slender and aromatic like ORYLUX 6 .................... 28 Figure 2 : High yielding Soybean breeder seed multiplication plot ................................... 29 Figure 3: Coffee seedling nursery in CARI ...................................................................... 29 Figure 4: High yielding Soybean variety Dixon ................................................................ 29 Figure 5: SAH System for rapid cassava seed multiplication established at CARI ............. 32 Figure 6: Group photo during the launch of SDCA .......................................................... 38 Figure 7: The first seed board meeting ........................................................................... 38 Figure 8: Intern student and EU Delegation during a field visit ......................................... 61 Figure 9: Training workshop on rice seed production and quality assurance for 35 seed growers at CARI .......................................................................................................... 71 1. Executive Summary The Seeds4Liberia project—Building resilient seed systems for rice, cassava, soybean, coffee, and fish value chains to strengthen food and economic diversification in Liberia— made significant progress during the reporting period, positioning Liberia on a strong pathway toward sustainable seed system transformation. Implemented by AfricaRice (lead), IITA, and WorldFish, and funded by the European Union under the NDICI programme, the project has advanced its core scaling vision: to accelerate adoption of high-performing, climate-resilient, and market-responsive varieties and species through robust public–private seed systems. Guided by CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact (S4I) framework, the project delivered foundational market intelligence, enhanced institutional capacity, initiated large-scale early generation seed (EGS) production, strengthened private sector actors, and operationalised Liberia’s Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA). These achievements collectively establish a strong enabling environment for scaling quality seeds and fingerlings across value chains. Major Achievements Across Value Chains Rice (AfricaRice Lead) Significant advancements were made in strengthening Liberia’s rice seed system. Market intelligence surveys involving 543 rice-consuming households clarified consumer preferences—stickiness (23%), slow digestibility (15%), and fine grain (11%)—with 91% expressing willingness to purchase biofortified rice once available AfricaRice supplied 300 kg of breeder seed for four priority varieties (ORYLUX-6, IR841, CY2, NERICA-4) to CARI, enabling successful production of 5 MT of breeder seed and 25 MT of foundation seed across 12 ha Adaptive trials of 10 upland varieties were completed in Nimba, Bong, and Margibi Counties. Substantial infrastructure upgrades—including rehabilitation of the CARI seed and biotech laboratories, installation of solar systems, acquisition of mechanization kits, a used 4×4 vehicle, and the S21 rice statistical analysis system—further strengthen Liberia’s public EGS capacity. Thirty-five seed growers were trained in certified seed production, and SDCA was supported with an €83,400 service agreement to operationalise certification processes. Cassava (IITA Lead) Cassava activities progressed strongly with the installation and operationalisation of a fully functional Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) facility at CARI, which produced 126 plantlets of TME-693, TMS-419, and Game Changer varieties IITA, through CARI and SDCA, produced 3,500 bundles of G2 breeder stems, of which 2,855 bundles were distributed to 24 foundation seed producers across five counties. A national Cassava Field Day attracted over 150 stakeholders and increased visibility of improved cassava technologies. Capacity building included training of CARI and SDCA staff on early generation cassava seed production, and two Stella Maris University interns were supported. Market intelligence covering 1,215 households revealed low adoption of improved varieties (16.8%), high demand for high-yield traits (98% of respondents), and critical gaps in extension access and IPM knowledge. Soybean (IITA Lead) The soybean value chain—introduced in Liberia to replace cocoa under the revised action—made foundational progress. IITA shipped 300 kg of breeder seed (three TGx varieties) to Liberia and, in partnership with CARI, established a 4 ha multiplication field, achieving ~1 t/ha yields despite late planting and erosion constraints Adaptive trials were established at CARI and across five counties. Stakeholder and extension officer training (33 and 22 participants respectively) built early technical capacity, while eight demonstration sites and farmer trainings advanced awareness and adoption. Baseline FGDs with 193 farmers demonstrated very low familiarity with soybean, underscoring strong justification for the project’s scaling approach. Coffee (IITA Lead) The coffee value chain recorded some of the largest seedling distribution achievements under Seeds4Liberia. A total of 267,000 seedlings of Liberica, Robusta, and Arabica were distributed in April 2025, followed by additional batches totaling over 32,000 seedlings across Bong, Lofa, Bomi, Montserrado, and Nimba Counties A 2 ha coffee gene bank and 1 ha Liberica germplasm field were established at CARI; stem- cutting propagation systems and growth chambers were developed; and DNA fingerprinting of collected germplasm is ongoing. A four-day ToT workshop on GAP, climate-smart coffee, and agroforestry trained 22 participants. Monitoring visits to nurseries identified critical gaps in management practices, informing future extension and training priorities. Fish (WorldFish Lead) The fish component accelerated the establishment of Liberia’s first modern, structured fish seed system. Market intelligence highlighted major constraints—poor quality fingerlings, high feed costs, low access to hatcheries, and water quality challenges—while underscoring strong market demand, especially for tilapia and catfish. WorldFish advanced construction and rehabilitation of fingerling production facilities at CARI and NaFAA, including eight cohort ponds, indoor hatchery systems, filtration and recirculation units, boreholes, and circular tanks. Ten NaFAA and CARI staff were trained on hatchery management and breeding systems; five interns commenced four- month placements; and 22 community-based seed enterprises (CBSEs) and 100 community-based seed producers (CBSPs) were identified for upcoming FFBS activities. The component is on track to achieve the production and dissemination of quality mixed- sex and mono-sex fingerlings beginning mid-2026. Cross-Cutting Achievements Institutional Strengthening The operationalisation of SDCA—appointment of staff, establishment of the National Seed Board, validation of certification tools, and designation of CARI’s seed lab as the national testing unit—represents one of the most transformational outcomes of the period. Service agreements with SDCA and LACRA ensure sustainability beyond the project cycle. Capacity Development Across value chains: • More than 120 technical personnel (CARI, NaFAA, SDCA, MoA, LACRA) received specialized training. • Internship programs engaged students in rice, cassava, soybean, coffee, and fish. • Extensive ToTs and farmer-level trainings strengthened grassroots capacity. Digitalization, Monitoring, and Data Systems The acquisition of the S21 Rice Statistical Analysis System and establishment of improved data collection processes are strengthening quality assurance and market intelligence across multiple value chains. Overall Progress Toward Scaling Seeds4Liberia is on a strong trajectory to achieve its 2028 scaling targets. Early generation seed production is underway for all value chains; public institutions are increasingly capable of producing and regulating seed quality; private enterprises are being prepared for certified seed multiplication; and demand intelligence is now available to guide product design and scaling pathways. The project is fully aligned with CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact principles, demonstrating clear scaling pathways, institutional anchoring, market validation, and capacity strengthening. With infrastructure, partnerships, and foundational seed supply now in place, Seeds4Liberia is poised to transition from system preparation to large-scale adoption and national seed market transformation beginning in 2026. 2. Introduction Liberia’s agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder farmers whose livelihoods rely heavily on the productivity, resilience, and marketability of staple food crops and fish. Despite the country’s strong agroecological potential, chronic weaknesses in seed systems—limited access to improved varieties, poor quality planting materials, insufficient certification capacity, and inadequate private sector participation—continue to constrain yields and reduce the competitiveness of domestic value chains. As a result, Liberia remains heavily dependent on food imports, especially rice, which accounts for 30–40% of the country’s annual food expenditure. To address these systemic bottlenecks, the Government of Liberia—through the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), the Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA), and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA)—partnered with AfricaRice, IITA, and WorldFish under the European Union–funded Seeds4Liberia project (NDICI AFRICA/2023/451-674). Implemented over 2024–2028, the project aims to build resilient, market-responsive, and scalable seed systems for rice, cassava, soybean, coffee, and fish to transform food and economic diversification in Liberia. Project Purpose and Strategic Positioning Seeds4Liberia is designed as a systems transformation initiative that integrates market intelligence, public research capacity, private sector development, quality assurance, and policy reform into a single scaling pathway. The project’s purpose is to: “Enhance food and nutrition security in Liberia by strengthening demand-driven, well- structured, and certified seed systems for priority crops and fish species.” (Interim Narrative Report, Section 2.2, Impact level) The initiative aligns with: • Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), which prioritizes resilient seed systems and value chain upgrading. • AfricaRice’s Rice Sector Development Strategy and leadership role in regional seed systems development. • CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact (S4I) Framework, which emphasizes institutional readiness, market alignment, and evidence-based scaling pathways. • European Union’s NDICI strategic priorities, focusing on food system resilience and job creation. As a multi-value chain system strengthening programme, Seeds4Liberia differs from traditional production-focused projects. Its core innovation lies in building the institutional, infrastructural, and private-sector foundations necessary for sustained generation, certification, and delivery of quality seeds and fingerlings to farmers at scale. Scope and Logic of the Action Seeds4Liberia targets five strategic value chains—rice, cassava, soybean, coffee, and fish—representing both staple food security crops and high-value commodities with strong market and income potential. The action is structured around five interconnected outcomes: 1. Improved Knowledge and Market Intelligence Baseline surveys, market preference mapping, and SWOT analyses for all value chains provide the evidence base for varietal targeting, seed product design, and market-driven scaling decisions. Examples: o 543 rice-consuming households surveyed to identify traits such as stickiness and digestibility. o 1,215 cassava actors surveyed on varietal preferences, productivity drivers, and IPM adoption. o Multi-stage surveys of 291 coffee households and market actors o National aquaculture market and profitability assessment by WorldFish . 2. Strengthened Public Institutions for Early Generation Seed Production CARI, NaFAA, LACRA, and SDCA were equipped with improved infrastructure (seed labs, greenhouses, hatcheries, ponds, SAH facility), machinery, training, and service agreements to sustainably produce EGS and regulate seed quality. This includes rehabilitation of multiple laboratories, installation of solar systems, and the acquisition of mechanization kits, seed testing equipment, and hatchery systems. 3. Private Seed Enterprise Capacity Building Seed companies, community-based seed enterprises (CBSEs), and community- based seed producers (CBSPs) are being trained and contracted to produce certified seed, cassava stems, soybean seed, coffee seedlings, and fingerlings. More than 100+ private actors have already been identified and engaged across counties. 4. Operationalization of Certification and Quality Assurance Systems SDCA has been formally operationalised through staff appointments, National Seed Board (NSB) activation, validation of certification tools, and establishment of the national seed testing laboratory. AfricaRice and IITA service agreements support inspector training, varietal release, and regulatory system strengthening. 5. Large-Scale Production of Quality Seeds and Fingerlings Early generation seeds/seedlings are now in full production across value chains: o 5 MT breeder seed and 25 MT foundation seed for rice o 3,500 bundles of cassava breeder stems o 300 kg soybean breeder seed and 4 ha breeder multiplication o 267,000+ coffee seedlings distributed o Hatcheries and ponds for tilapia/catfish production under construction (Sources: value chain reports and consolidated S4L summary) Geographic Coverage and Beneficiaries Seeds4Liberia is implemented in five priority counties: • Bong • Lofa • Nimba • Margibi • Montserrado The action directly targets: • Public institutions (CARI, NaFAA, SDCA, LACRA, MoA) • Seed enterprises (PSCs, CBSEs, CBSPs) • Farmers and processors across all five value chains • Students and interns for skill development • Extension officers and seed inspectors The project’s long-term beneficiaries include hundreds of thousands of rural households, agro-dealers, processors, and market actors who will ultimately access improved seed and fish seed products. Seeds4Liberia’s Contribution to Systemic Transformation Seeds4Liberia represents the first coordinated, multi-value-chain seed system strengthening programme in Liberia. By addressing seed system constraints holistically— research, production, certification, private sector development, and market linkages—it sets the foundation for: • Increased varietal turnover • Higher yields and reduced import dependence • New business opportunities for seed and input enterprises • Improved food and nutrition security • Sustainable seed sector institutions anchored in national policy The project is now positioned to transition from foundational system-building to large- scale, market-aligned delivery and adoption from 2026 onward. 3. Methodology The Seeds4Liberia project applies a systems-oriented, evidence-driven, and scaling- focused methodology aligned with CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact (S4I) framework. The methodology combines diagnostic analytics, institutional capacity strengthening, targeted piloting, iterative learning, and structured partnerships to enable sustainable and scalable seed and fingerling production across five value chains. This approach recognises that scaling agricultural innovations requires more than technology introduction—it demands functional institutions, enabling policies, informed markets, robust private sector capacity, and integrated quality assurance systems. The methodology used in Seeds4Liberia can be summarized across six interlinked methodological pillars, which guide implementation, learning, scaling, and monitoring. 3.1 Pillar 1 — Foundational Diagnostics and Market Intelligence The project began with extensive data collection and analytics to establish a strong evidence base for decision-making, varietal targeting, and scaling pathway design. This included: • Household and producer surveys • Rice: 543 rice-consuming households surveyed to determine preferred traits such as stickiness, slow digestibility, and grain fineness • Cassava: 1,215 household heads, farmers, processors, and buyers surveyed to map production practices, IPM adoption, and varietal usage • Soybean: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 193 farmers across five counties to assess awareness and readiness for soybean production • Coffee: Survey of 291 coffee-producing households using a multistage random sampling design • Fish: Market intelligence survey with 200 farmers, 51 wholesalers, 100 retailers, 100 consumers, and multiple hatchery operators and input suppliers to identify constraints and opportunities in aquaculture • SWOT and value chain analyses Stakeholder consultations and mapping were conducted for all five value chains to assess system strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. These analyses informed the selection of training priorities, institutional partnerships, varietal introductions, and certification requirements (Interim Narrative Report, Activities 1.1.1 and 1.1.2). • Linking analytics to breeding and product design Findings were directly used to guide the choice of improved varieties supplied by CGIAR centers, such as ORYLUX-6, CY2, IR841, NERICA-4 for rice; TMS-419, TME-693, and Game Changer for cassava; and TGx soybean varieties. This diagnostic phase established the foundations for market-driven seed system strengthening. 3.2 Pillar 2 — Institutional Capacity Strengthening for Early Generation Seed Systems Seeds4Liberia adopts a public-sector-first model, focusing on strengthening CARI, NaFAA, LACRA, and SDCA to sustainably produce, regulate, and oversee early generation seeds and fingerlings. The methodology includes: • Infrastructure rehabilitation and upgrade • CARI’s seed, post-harvest, and biotechnology laboratories repaired after storm damage, with solar systems, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners installed • Construction/rehabilitation of fish hatcheries, cohort breeding systems, ponds, boreholes, and filtration units at CARI and NaFAA • Installation of a Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) facility for cassava seedling production at CARI, now fully functional with 126 plantlets generated. • Establishment of coffee seed gardens, germplasm plots, and nurseries at CARI • Service agreements (performance-based) AfricaRice, IITA, and WorldFish signed service agreements with CARI, LACRA, NaFAA, and SDCA to strengthen their operational, managerial, and technical competencies for EGS production and certification (Interim Report Section 2.2, Outcome 2). • Hands-on technical training Targeted capacity development included: • Training CARI staff on rice breeder and foundation seed production (five staff trained during production of 5 MT breeder seed). • Training CARI/SDCA staff on cassava EGS production, stem handling, and SAH technology • Training NaFAA/CARI staff (10+ participants) on indoor and outdoor fish hatchery management (cohort breeding, filtration systems, broodstock rotation) • Training on seed testing, quality assurance, and certification for SDCA. This methodological pillar ensures sustainability by anchoring capacities within national institutions. 3.3 Pillar 3 — Private Sector Engagement and Professionalization of Seed Producers Recognizing that large-scale adoption requires a strong private sector, Seeds4Liberia employs a structured approach to identifying, training, equipping, and contracting seed enterprises. Steps in the methodology include: 1. Actor identification and mapping o For rice: 35 seed growers trained for certified seed production o For cassava: 24 Foundation Seed Producers (FSPs) selected across 5 counties. o For soybean: 22 extension agents and multiple farmer groups targeted across counties. o For fish: 22 CBSEs and 100 CBSPs identified, with 30 FFBS to be established 2. Training via Farmer Field Business Schools (FFBS) The FFBS model integrates agronomy, business skills, and seed quality principles. 3. Provision of equipment and inputs Mechanization kits, seeders, reapers, hermetic storage equipment, soybean breeder seed, cassava planting materials, and aquaculture gear were provided or are inbound. 4. Contracting and incentives Certified seed production contracts include 3,000 MT target for rice, 62,500 bundles for cassava, and strong output incentives (e.g., €100/MT for certified rice seed). This pillar transitions private actors from subsistence production to commercial seed entrepreneurship. 3.4 Pillar 4 — Demonstrations, Adaptive Trials, and Piloting To validate performance, agronomic suitability, and farmer acceptance, Seeds4Liberia uses evidence-generating piloting across real farming systems. Methodological elements include: • Adaptive trials of 10 upland rice varieties in Nimba, Bong, and Margibi (RCBD design: 11 varieties × 3 sites × 3 replications) • Multilocation demonstration plots for soybean across 5 counties, testing 6 TGx varieties under varied environments • Establishment of 2 ha coffee germplasm and 1 ha Liberica plots for conservation and evaluation • Ongoing piloting of cohort breeding systems for tilapia at CARI and NaFAA for mono- sex and mixed-sex fry production. Data collected from trials feed back into breeding, certification, and scaling decisions, making piloting a central methodological step. 3.5 Pillar 5 — Quality Assurance and Regulatory System Strengthening A critical methodology component is establishing credible, national-level quality control systems. Key elements: • Operationalisation of the SDCA (staff nomination, NSB formation, validation of tools and manuals) • Engagement of SDCA in cassava, rice, soybean, and fish seed certification activities. • Training programs for seed inspectors and seed extension agents across MoA, CARI, NaFAA, LACRA, and SDCA. • Designation of CARI’s seed laboratory as the national testing unit. This enables Liberia to ensure seed quality and avoid counterfeit seeds, making scaling both credible and sustainable. 3.6 Pillar 6 — Monitoring, Learning, and Evidence-Based Scaling (S4I Framework) The project uses iterative learning cycles and annual reflection processes to assess readiness, refine pathways, and document scaling constraints. The approach includes: • Routine monitoring of EGS production volumes, nursery establishment, hatchery progress, and actor performance. • Tracking of training participation, adoption of management practices, and quality inspection outcomes. • Alignment with CGIAR S4I: assessing institutional readiness, anchoring innovations, validating demand, and identifying sustainability enablers. This ensures that scaling transitions—from pilot to expansion to institutionalisation—are guided by robust evidence. Summary of the Methodology Seeds4Liberia’s methodology combines diagnostics, institutional capacity strengthening, private sector professionalization, adaptive piloting, quality assurance, and evidence- based scaling. This systemic, multi-value chain approach allows the project to simultaneously deliver short-term outputs (seed production, infrastructure upgrades, training) while laying the foundations for long-term, scalable transformation of Liberia’s seed sector. 4. Key Results This section presents consolidated achievements across the five target value chains—rice, cassava, soybean, coffee, and fish—structured along the project’s outcomes and aligned with CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact (S4I) Result Areas. 4.1 Outcome 1 – Improved Knowledge and Market Intelligence Seeds4Liberia generated the most comprehensive baseline and market intelligence dataset ever produced for Liberia’s seed sector. These analytics have shaped varietal targeting, seed system design, and institutional strengthening across all value chains. Key Results Rice Value Chain • Survey of 543 rice-consuming households in Bong, Lofa, Nimba, and Margibi revealed strong preferences for: o Stickiness (23%), o Slow-digestibility (15%), and o Fine-grain rice (11%). o 91% of consumers indicated willingness to purchase biofortified rice if made available. • Insight led to prioritizing ORYLUX-6, CY2, IR841, and NERICA-4 for early generation seed production and certification. Cassava Value Chain • 1,215 actors (farmers, processors, buyers) surveyed, revealing: o Very low adoption of improved varieties (16.8%), o High priority for high-yield traits (98.3% of respondents), o Low IPM training (91.75% of farmers had never received IPM training). • Data is already influencing SAH propagation planning, FSP training content, and varietal distribution. Soybean Value Chain • Focus Group Discussions with 193 farmers across five counties showed: o Very low initial familiarity with soybean, o High interest in market linkage and awareness campaigns, o Existing knowledge of legume agronomy that can support scaling. Coffee Value Chain • Survey of 291 households showed: o Average yield: 624 kg/ha, o High reliance on traditional seed sources, o Limited access to credit and extension services, o Strong preference for high-yielding and early-bearing varieties. Fish Value Chain • National market intelligence involving: o 200 farmers, o 51 wholesalers, 100 retailers, 100 consumers, o Multiple hatcheries/input suppliers. • Key findings: o Poor-quality fingerlings and lack of quality feed are major constraints, o Majority of farmers use mixed culture systems (tilapia + catfish), o Strong market demand: 85% of farmed fish are sold directly to consumers. Impact: Market intelligence enabled a fully demand-driven targeting of varieties, species, and seed products, which is central to scaling suitability under the S4I framework. 4.2 Outcome 2 – Enhanced Public Institutional Capacity for EGS Production Seeds4Liberia significantly strengthened Liberia’s public research institutions—CARI, NaFAA, SDCA, and LACRA—through infrastructure upgrades, equipment, training, and financing agreements. 4.2.1 Infrastructure Development and Rehabilitation Rice (CARI + AfricaRice) • Rehabilitated three major laboratories (seed, biotech, post-harvest) damaged by storms. • Installed solar energy systems, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners. • Developed 12 ha of irrigated and upland fields for early generation seed production. • Delivered: o 1 power tiller o 1 rice reaper o Lowland and upland seeders o A used 4×4 Hilux o 3 motorcycles o S21 Rice Statistical Analysis System Cassava (CARI + IITA) • Fully functional SAH facility installed, producing 126 plantlets from three elite varieties. Soybean • Established 25 m² breeder seed plots and 4 ha breeder multiplication field at CARI. Coffee • Established: o 2 ha coffee gene bank, o 1 ha Liberica germplasm field, o Growth chamber for stem-cuttings. Fish (CARI + NaFAA + WorldFish) • Developed Liberia’s first structured aquaculture EGS systems: o 8 cohort ponds (CARI + NaFAA), o Indoor hatchery with filtration/recirculation, o Boreholes, circular and rectangular tanks. 4.2.2 Training and Technical Capacity Development Across institutions: Rice • 7 CARI staff trained on EGS production, quality assurance, and enterprise management at AfricaRice M’bé Station. • Additional training provided during Liberia-based breeder and foundation seed production. Cassava • Training for CARI and SDCA on SAH management, breeder seed production, and stem quality protocols. Soybean • 11 public sector staff trained on soybean agronomy and EGS principles. • 22 extension officers trained on soybean multiplication and certification. Coffee • 22 technicians, extension officers, and lead farmers trained in GAP, climate- smart coffee, and agroforestry systems. Fish • 10 NaFAA and CARI staff trained in cohort breeding and hatchery management. • 5 interns engaged in four-month aquaculture internship. 4.3 Outcome 3 – Strengthened Private Sector Capacity and Seed Enterprise Formation Seeds4Liberia operationalized Liberia’s emerging seed and fingerling industry through mapping, training, business development, and input support. 4.3.1 Mapping and Selection of Seed Enterprises Rice • 35 seed growers trained for certified seed production, covering five counties. • Five production clusters designed to supply 3,000 MT of certified rice seed. Cassava • 24 Foundation Seed Producers (FSPs) selected, trained, and assigned fields. • Cassava Field Day engaged 150+ stakeholders and public officials. Soybean • Eight demonstration sites established. • Farmer-based organizations engaged across counties. Coffee • 19 farmer cooperatives across 12 districts received coffee seedlings from CARI/IITA. Fish • 22 CBSEs and 100 CBSPs identified for hatchery-linked training and certification. • 30 FFBS to be established in 2025–26. 4.4 Outcome 4 – Quality Assurance and Certification through SDCA Operationalization One of the most significant achievements of Seeds4Liberia is the operationalization of the Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA). Key Results • SDCA key staff appointed and deployed. • National Seed Board (NSB) constituted and functional. • CARI Seed Lab designated national seed testing unit. • Certification tools, manuals, and inspector guidelines validated at a high-level national workshop. • €83,400 service agreement signed with SDCA to support certification, inspector training, and varietal release. • Initial certification engagements in cassava, rice, soybean, and fish value chains underway. This marks the first time Liberia has had a functional seed regulatory authority capable of ensuring credible national seed certification. 4.5 Outcome 5 – Production and Supply of Quality Seeds and Fingerlings Seeds4Liberia recorded strong early generation seed production results across all target value chains. Rice • 300 kg breeder seed supplied by AfricaRice to CARI. • 5 MT breeder seed successfully produced at CARI: o ORYLUX-6: 1.35 MT o CY2: 2.4 MT o IR841: 0.4 MT o NERICA-4: 0.83 MT • 25 MT foundation seed produced across 12 ha (10 ha already harvested). Cassava • 3,500 bundles of G2 breeder stems produced. • 2,855 bundles distributed to trained FSPs across five counties. Soybean • 300 kg breeder seed imported into Liberia. • 4 ha breeder seed field established and nearing harvest. Coffee • 267,000 seedlings distributed in April 2025. • Additional 32,139 seedlings distributed in July and September. • A total of >299,000 seedlings delivered to farmers. Fish • Construction and rehabilitation of facilities for tilapia (mono- and mixed-sex) and catfish seed production. • Systems ready for large-scale production starting mid-2026. Figure 1: Early maturing, high yielding, slender and aromatic like ORYLUX 6 Figure 2 : High yielding Soybean breeder seed multiplication plot Figure 3: Coffee seedling nursery in CARI Figure 4: High yielding Soybean variety Dixon 4.6 Cross-Cutting Achievements Gender and Youth Inclusion • Internships across all value chains engaged youth from major tertiary institutions. • Women-led cooperatives actively involved in cassava seed production, fish farming, and soybean pilot demonstrations. Digitalization • Acquisition of the S21 Statistical Analysis System for rice seed quality analysis. • Improved field data collection tools under CARI and NaFAA. Partnership & Policy Influence • Enhanced collaboration between MoA, CARI, SDCA, NaFAA, LACRA, and CGIAR Centers. • SDCA and NSB strengthening aligns Liberia with ECOWAS Seed Regulation. Summary of Key Results Seeds4Liberia has achieved strong progress across all five outcomes. Foundational analytics, institutional capacity strengthening, expanded EGS production, operational certification systems, and private sector engagement have placed Liberia on a solid trajectory toward scalable, sustainable, and market-driven seed systems. The project is moving from the “readiness and piloting phase” to the “expansion and institutionalization phase,” fully aligned with CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact (S4I) model. 5. Technology Deployment Seeds4Liberia deployed a portfolio of proven, scalable, and market-responsive technologies across the five value chains. Deployment was guided by market intelligence, institutional readiness, and Liberia’s agroecological diversity, ensuring that introduced innovations responded directly to farmer preferences, production gaps, and value chain constraints. The deployment approach balanced technology introduction, capacity building, and infrastructure enablement, laying the foundation for large-scale adoption in the coming years. 5.1 Rice Technology Deployment (AfricaRice) Technology deployment in rice focused on climate-resilient, consumer-preferred varieties, mechanization tools, seed quality systems, and field-level innovations to strengthen Liberia’s EGS and certified seed systems. 5.1.1 Deployment of Improved Rice Varieties AfricaRice deployed and supported the multiplication of four high-performing varieties: • ORYLUX-6 – aromatic, slender grain, high consumer acceptance • CY2 – climate-resilient, high-yielding irrigated lowland variety • IR841 – widely preferred long-grain variety • NERICA-4 – robust upland variety These varieties were selected based on consumer preference data (stickiness, slow digestibility, fine grain structure) and national demand for biofortified and nutrient-rich rice. 5.1.2 Deployment of Seed Production and Quality Tools AfricaRice deployed: • Seed purification protocols • S21 Rice Statistical Analysis System for quality control • Field inspection and isolation techniques • Mechanization kits (power tiller, reaper, lowland and upland seeders) • Hermetic storage equipment (bags and cocoons) These technologies increased field purity, improved drying and storage efficiency, and strengthened the certification system. 5.1.3 Deployment of On-Farm Mechanization Technologies Mechanization tools delivered to CARI and targeted seed clusters included: • Power tillers • Rice reapers • Lowland and upland seeders • Field preparation support packages These tools will be scaled across five private seed clusters supporting 3,000 MT of certified seed production. 5.2 Cassava Technology Deployment (IITA) Cassava technology deployment centered on the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) system, elite disease-free planting materials, and seed system innovations focused on quality, purity, and rapid multiplication. 5.2.1 SAH Technology Deployment A fully functional SAH facility was installed at CARI, enabling rapid multiplication of high- quality, disease-free planting materials. • 126 SAH plantlets of TMS-419, TME-693, and Game Changer varieties produced • SAH-propagated materials deployed to FSPs for field multiplication This represents Liberia’s first operational SAH system and a major milestone in cassava seed system modernization. Figure 5: SAH System for rapid cassava seed multiplication established at CARI 5.2.2 Deployment of Elite Cassava Varieties The project deployed high-yielding, brown-streak-tolerant, and drought-resilient varieties, increasing farmers’ access to improved genetic materials. 5.2.3 Cassava Seed Production and Certification Technologies Deployment included: • Quality stem processing protocols • Disease diagnostics and selection for planting material health • On-farm multiplication techniques • Training on stem cutting, spacing, and ratooning • Post-harvest handling technologies (proper storage of stems) 5.2.4 Digital and Management Tools IITA introduced tools for inventory management, data collection, and tracking of distributed planting materials via FSPs. 5.3 Soybean Technology Deployment (IITA) The soybean component deployed technologies for breeder seed multiplication, Rhizobium inoculation, GAPs, and seed handling appropriate for Liberia’s agroecological conditions. 5.3.1 Deployment of Improved TGx Varieties IITA introduced three farmer- and market-responsive soybean varieties: • TGx 1835-10E (early maturing) • TGx 1904-6F (medium maturing) • TGx 1951-3F (medium maturing, robust under variable rainfall) These varieties were tested across demo sites in five counties. 5.3.2 Deployment of Soybean EGS Technologies Breeder seed multiplication technologies deployed included: • Germination and vigour testing kits • Nodumax (Rhizobium) inoculation • Proper spacing and planting tools • Fertility and field layout technologies • Harvesting and post-harvest handling tools 5.3.3 Deployment of Demonstration and Adaptive Trial Packages Demo plots and adaptive trials deployed: • Tools for randomized complete block design • On-plot technology dissemination (weeding, thinning, fertilizer application) • Monitoring sheets for yield assessment 5.4 Coffee Technology Deployment (IITA) Coffee deployment emphasized nursery establishment, germplasm conservation, climate-smart practices, and high-quality seedling production. 5.4.1 Deployment of High-Performance Coffee Seedlings More than 299,000 seedlings of Liberica, Robusta, and Arabica were deployed across farmer cooperatives and nurseries. 5.4.2 Deployment of Germplasm Conservation Technologies • 2-ha coffee gene bank established at CARI • 1-ha Liberica germplasm field developed • Deployment of DNA fingerprinting methods for genetic purity and characterization • Growth chamber technologies and stem-cutting propagation systems deployed 5.4.3 Climate-Smart and Agroforestry Technologies To build resilience, the project deployed: • Shade-tree integration • Soil conservation and mulching • Low-cost irrigation • Pruning and rejuvenation techniques • GAP packages tailored to Liberia’s humid forest agroecology These were delivered through four-day ToT sessions for extension and cooperative leaders. 5.5 Fish Technology Deployment (WorldFish) Technology deployment in aquaculture focused on hatchery development, cohort breeding, indoor seed production, and feed production, enabling Liberia to establish its first structured fish seed system. 5.5.1 Deployment of Cohort Breeding System (CBS) CBS was deployed at CARI and NaFAA to address Liberia’s chronic shortage of quality tilapia and catfish fingerlings. Key CBS technologies deployed: • Rotation of male broodstock to avoid inbreeding • 8 small cohort ponds for F1 and F2 fry production • Dike construction and water flow control technologies • On-pond sex separation and nursery systems 5.5.2 Deployment of Indoor Hatchery and Filtration Systems Technologies deployed include: • Indoor hatching units • Integrated filtration and recirculation systems • Water quality monitoring systems • Boreholes and water pumping systems • Circular and rectangular catfish tanks 5.5.3 Deployment of Fish Feed Production Technology • Full feed production unit delivered to CARI • Partial feed production support provided to two CBSEs • Training provided on feed formulation and machine usage 5.5.4 Deployment of Community-Based Production Models • Fish Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) model deployed • Tools for seed quality assurance provided to SDCA and NaFAA • Manuals and guidebooks under development for seed production and certification 5.6 Cross-Cutting Technology Deployment Across all value chains, the project deployed cross-cutting technologies and systems to support scaling: Digital Tools • Data templates for seed tracking • S21 Rice Statistical Analyzer • Diagnostics and digital record-keeping tools in SAH, coffee, and aquaculture Post-Harvest and Storage Technologies • Hermetic storage bags and cocoons for rice and soybean • Proper stem storage racks for cassava • Nursery shading and moisture retention technologies for coffee Quality Assurance Technologies • Seed inspection forms • Purity analysis tools • Certification manuals and SOPs for SDCA Mechanization • Power tillers, seeders, reapers, and equipment for land preparation • Tools for soybean demonstration and cassava stem handling • On-farm irrigation and watering kits for coffee and fish systems Summary of Technology Deployment Through Seeds4Liberia, CGIAR and national partners deployed a comprehensive suite of technologies tailored to Liberia’s needs—from improved varieties and rapid multiplication systems to mechanization, hatchery infrastructure, and quality assurance tools. These deployments form the technological backbone of the scaling pathways that will guide Liberia’s transition to high-performing, resilient, and market-driven seed and fish value chains from 2026 onward. 6. Seed System Development (Draft | 3.5–4 pages) Seed system development is the central pillar of the Seeds4Liberia project. During the reporting period, the project made substantial progress in building a coherent, multi- value-chain national seed system anchored in strong public institutions, an emerging private sector, clear certification pathways, and expanding early generation seed (EGS) supply. This section presents progress across policy and regulation, public institutional capacity, private sector growth, and EGS-to-certified seed pathways for all five value chains. 6.1 National Seed Governance and Regulatory System Strengthening A major milestone of the project was the operationalization of the Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA), the statutory authority responsible for seed quality control and certification. Key Results for Seed Governance • SDCA staff officially appointed, including Director, Seed Inspectors, and Quality Control Officers. • National Seed Board (NSB) reconstituted and held its first operational meetings. • Seed regulations, manuals, certification tools, field inspection sheets, and varietal release procedures validated at a national stakeholders’ workshop. • CARI Seed Laboratory designated as Liberia’s national seed testing unit, with accreditation processes initiated. • €83,400 service agreement signed with SDCA to support operational costs, inspector training, and early-stage certification activities. These reforms mark the first time Liberia has a functional, systemwide mechanism for regulating and certifying seed, an essential precondition for scaling under CGIAR S4I principles. Figure 6: Group photo during the launch of SDCA Figure 7: The first seed board meeting 6.2 Strengthening Public Institutions for Early Generation Seed (EGS) Production Public institutions—CARI, NaFAA, LACRA, and MoA—received extensive support to build their capacity to produce EGS, ensuring reliable supply for private seed enterprises. 6.2.1 Rice EGS System (AfricaRice + CARI + SDCA) AfricaRice and CARI now operate a full EGS pipeline, covering breeder and foundation seed. Breeder Seed Development AfricaRice supplied 300 kg of breeder seeds of four varieties: ORYLUX-6, CY2, IR841, and NERICA-4. CARI produced 5 MT of breeder seed, broken down as follows: • ORYLUX-6: 1.35 MT • CY2: 2.4 MT • IR841: 0.4 MT • NERICA-4: 0.83 MT Foundation Seed Production • 25 MT of foundation seed produced on 12 ha (8 ha lowland + 4 ha upland). • 10 ha harvested and undergoing drying and cleaning; remaining 2 ha advancing toward completion. • Mechanization support (tiller, reaper, seeders) significantly improved timeliness and quality. Seed Laboratory Rehabilitation CARI seed, biotechnology, and post-harvest laboratories were repaired after storm damage, further enhanced with: • Solar power system • Dehumidifier • Air conditioners • S21 Rice Statistical Analyzer This positions CARI as a national EGS hub for rice capable of maintaining varietal purity and delivering timely breeder and foundation seeds to seed enterprises. 6.2.2 Cassava EGS System (IITA + CARI + SDCA) Seeds4Liberia introduced for the first time an SAH-based cassava rapid multiplication system in Liberia. SAH Facility Deployment • SAH facility installed and fully operational at CARI. • 126 SAH plantlets generated and transferred to field multiplication. Breeder & Foundation Seed System for Cassava • 3,500 bundles of G2 breeder stems produced. • 2,855 bundles distributed to 24 Foundation Seed Producers (FSPs) across five counties. SDCA provided oversight for varietal health and quality, marking the beginning of Liberia’s first certified cassava seed system. 6.2.3 Soybean EGS System (IITA + CARI) Soybean, newly introduced under Seeds4Liberia, made significant progress in establishing an EGS structure. Breeder Seed Introduction and Multiplication • 300 kg breeder seed of three TGx varieties imported from IITA-Nigeria. • 4 ha breeder seed field established at CARI. • First-season yields ~1 t/ha, despite erosion and delayed planting. Foundation Seed Expansion Demonstration sites (8 total) and county-level FSPs have been identified for future multiplication. This creates the foundation for a national soybean seed supply chain, linking farmers to Liberia’s growing poultry feed industry. 6.2.4 Coffee Seed & Seedling System (IITA + CARI) CARI and IITA established Liberia’s first structured, large-scale seedling production and germplasm conservation system for coffee. Major Results • 267,000 seedlings of Liberica, Robusta, and Arabica distributed in April 2025. • Additional 32,139 seedlings distributed July–September 2025. • 2 ha coffee gene bank and 1 ha Liberica germplasm field established. • Stem-cutting and mini-chamber propagation technologies introduced. The system now supports continuous production and supply of improved coffee planting materials. 6.2.5 Fish Fingerling Production System (WorldFish + NaFAA + CARI) Seeds4Liberia is establishing Liberia’s first quality-assured fingerling production system. Hatchery and Nursery Development WorldFish deployed a combination of: • 8 cohort ponds • Indoor hatcheries (tilapia + catfish) • Filtration and recirculation units • Boreholes and water pumping systems • Circular and rectangular tanks EGS System for Fish Seed • Introduction of cohort breeding system (CBS) to avoid inbreeding. • F1 and F2 broodstock rotation established. • Indoor seed production technology piloted at NaFAA and CARI. Completion of these facilities will enable large-scale supply of high-quality tilapia and catfish fry starting mid-2026. 6.3 Strengthening Private Sector Seed Supply Systems A robust private seed industry is essential for scaling. Seeds4Liberia supported private actors through enterprise mapping, training, equipment provision, and certification linkages. 6.3.1 Rice Certified Seed Clusters AfricaRice and SDCA identified five rice seed production clusters, each comprising: • Seed enterprises • Youth groups • Cooperatives Each cluster will receive: • Mechanization kits (tiller, reaper, lowland and upland seeders) • €16,000 land preparation support • €100/MT output incentive linked to quality-certified seed production Target output: 3,000 MT certified seed during project life (2024-2028). 6.3.2 Cassava FSP Network IITA and CARI established a network of 24 Foundation Seed Producers trained in: • Stem cutting and selection • Pest/disease management • Storage and transportation of planting materials • Business models and pricing strategies These FSPs form the backbone of Liberia’s first commercial cassava seed system. 6.3.3 Soybean Seed Farmer Groups Soybean seed system development focused on: • 22 extension officers trained • Farmer groups in five counties mobilized • 8 demonstration sites linked to future FSPs This sets the stage for certified soybean seed production by 2026. 6.3.4 Coffee Nursery Networks Coffee seedling distribution leveraged: • 19 farmer groups across 12 districts • CARI-linked nurseries • Youth and women-led cooperatives Seedling quality and nursery practices improved dramatically due to training and monitoring. 6.3.5 Fish CBSE–CBSP Networks WorldFish and NaFAA jointly mapped and engaged: • 22 Community-Based Seed Enterprises (CBSEs) • 100 Community-Based Seed Producers (CBSPs) These actors will be central to scaling fingerling availability through FFBS models. 6.4 Seed Certification and Quality Assurance Mechanisms SDCA now provides oversight for certification across all value chains, with progressive development in: Inspection Protocols • Rice: isolation distance, off-type removal, harvest purity rules • Cassava: stem phytosanitary checks, SAH disease-free standards • Soybean: vigor/purity/minimum germination checks • Coffee: nursery hygiene, seedling uniformity, propagation standards • Fish: fry/fingerling size and quality assessment (in collaboration with NaFAA) Certification Tools • Standardized certification manuals and SOPs • Validation of inspection sheets • Protocols for field sampling and lab testing • Digital and paper-based record systems The certification mechanism is now functional and will be fully scaled in 2026. 6.5 Seed System Integration and Scaling Pathways Seeds4Liberia has established integrated seed systems tailored to each value chain’s biological and economic characteristics. Rice: Fully functional EGS → certified seed → farmer adoption pathway anchored at CARI. Cassava: Rapid multiplication (SAH) → G2 stems → FSP multiplication → root production. Soybean: Breeder seed introduction → FSP selection → county-level multiplication. Coffee: Gene bank → mother plants → nurseries → cooperative-level seedling distribution. Fish: CBS broodstock → hatchery fry → CBSE nurseries → farmer production. This integrated model ensures sustained supply, quality assurance, and scaling readiness across Liberia’s food systems. Summary of Section 6 Seeds4Liberia is developing Liberia’s first comprehensive national seed system, spanning regulation, EGS production, private enterprise development, and certification. The foundation laid in 2024–2025 positions the project for a major scaling phase beginning in 2026, ensuring farmers and aquaculture producers across Liberia gain reliable access to high-quality, climate-resilient seeds and fingerlings. 7. Cross-Cutting Performance Seeds4Liberia integrates multiple cross-cutting dimensions—gender and youth inclusion, digitalization, climate-smart approaches, capacity development, and policy engagement—as foundational elements of its systems-strengthening approach. These dimensions ensure that technology deployment, seed system development, and private- sector engagement translate into equitable, inclusive, and sustainable impact across Liberia’s food and aquaculture value chains. 7.1 Gender Inclusion and Empowerment Seeds4Liberia places women at the center of seed system transformation, particularly in rice, cassava, coffee, and aquaculture, where women constitute a large share of processors and nursery managers. 7.1.1 Women’s Participation in Training and Enterprise Formation Across all value chains, women participated actively in training programs, FFBS activities, and FSP and CBSE establishment: • Cassava: Women-led groups were among the 24 Foundation Seed Producers (FSPs) trained on SAH technology, quality stem selection, and business skills. Women’s strong role in cassava processing positions them as key actors for scaling stem demand. • Fish: Women participated in the identification and training of 100 CBSPs and are involved in the establishment of the first FFBS in Montserrado—a women-led group. This supports female leadership in aquaculture, a sector typically dominated by men. • Coffee: Women are engaged in seedling nursery management and agroforestry training sessions. • Rice: Although seed production is traditionally male-dominated, women took part in seed quality management, processing and were represented in seed grower trainings. 7.1.2 Reduction of Work Burden Through Mechanization Mechanization—including power tillers, rice reapers, and seeders—reduced women’s labor burden in: • Land preparation • Weeding • Seed broadcasting • Harvesting and threshing This is especially transformative in rice and soybean systems. 7.1.3 Pathways for Women’s Empowerment Women benefit from: • Increased access to business opportunities (rice processors, cassava FSPs, coffee nurseries, fish seed production) • Training on income-generating skills through FFBS • Participation in governance platforms (SDCA, FSP networks) Overall, women are increasingly positioned as entrepreneurs and decision-makers within Liberia’s emerging seed and aquaculture markets. 7.2 Youth Engagement and Skill Development Youth involvement is a central strategy of Seeds4Liberia, ensuring long-term sustainability of seed systems and creating pathways for agribusiness employment. 7.2.1 Structured Internship Programs Across all value chains, internship programs engaged youth from major universities: • Rice: Four interns from Stella Maris University trained in seed business management, field management, and quality assurance. • Cassava: Two interns trained on SAH technology, field multiplication, and FSP engagement. • Soybean: Six interns deployed across three IITA-led value chains. • Coffee: Youth cooperatives engaged in nursery operations and climate-smart coffee training. • Fish: Five interns from University of Liberia participated in hatchery management and innovative tilapia seed production. 7.2.2 Agribusiness Opportunities for Youth Youth are emerging as: • Seed entrepreneurs (rice, soybean) • Cassava FSPs and extension agents • Nursery operators (coffee) • Fish seed producers (CBSPs and CBSEs) These pathways align directly with Liberia’s youth employment strategy and CGIAR’s focus on youth-inclusive innovation scaling. 7.3 Climate-Smart Agriculture and Resilience Building Climate-smart practices were deployed across all value chains to enhance resilience to Liberia’s variable rainfall, soil fertility constraints, and rising temperatures. 7.3.1 Climate-Resilient Varieties and Species • Rice: ORYLUX-6, CY2, and NERICA-4 offer drought, heat, and lodging tolerance. • Cassava: TME-693 and TMS-419 show strong resilience to erratic rainfall. • Soybean: TGx varieties adapted to West African climates. • Coffee: Shade-based agroforestry promoted for microclimate regulation. • Fish: CBS breeding system supports resilient broodstock rotation. 7.3.2 Climate-Smart Management Practices Across value chains, the project promoted: • Site-specific fertilizer recommendations • Mulching, contouring, and erosion control (coffee, cassava) • Use of shade trees for temperature management (coffee) • Water management in rice EGS fields • Improved water quality monitoring in aquaculture systems These practices reduce climate-related risks while enhancing productivity. 7.4 Digitalization and Data Systems Digital tools and systems were introduced to improve data quality, seed traceability, and decision-making. Key Digital Deployments • S21 Rice Seed Statistical Analyzer for purity and germination analysis at CARI. • Digital monitoring tools used in SAH propagation, coffee nursery registers, and fish hatchery logs. • Standardized project-wide M&E templates for seed production, distribution, and training events. Digitalization strengthens certification, accelerates reporting, and supports scaling decisions under the S4I model. 7.5 Capacity Development and Human Resource Strengthening Capacity development was one of the strongest cross-cutting achievements. 7.5.1 Public Sector Capacity CARI, SDCA, NaFAA, LACRA, and MoA staff were trained through: • Study tours (AfricaRice M’bé Station) • Hands-on breeder and foundation seed production • Workshops on seed inspection and varietal release • Hatchery and aquaculture systems management • Nursery and stem propagation systems This enhanced institutional readiness for scaling. 7.5.2 Farmer and Enterprise-Level Capacity More than 120 farmers and seed entrepreneurs received intensive training across value chains: • 35 seed growers trained in rice seed production • 24 cassava FSPs trained in SAH-based multiplication • 22 soybean extension officers trained in seed certification • Over 19 coffee cooperatives trained in nursery management • 22 CBSEs and 100 CBSPs oriented on aquaculture seed production Seeds4Liberia_Outline of Achiev… Capacity development increased technical competency, business skills, and adoption of improved practices. 7.6 Multi-Stakeholder Coordination and Policy Influence Seeds4Liberia created functional coordination mechanisms across ministries, CGIAR centers, and development partners. Key Achievements: • High-level engagement with MoA, CARI, SDCA, NaFAA, LACRA, and county authorities. • Strengthened collaboration with the EU Delegation. • Alignment of value chain strategies with Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP). • Integration of seed system strengthening into national extension priorities. • Preparation for ECOWAS Seed Regulation compliance. These platforms strengthen institutional anchoring of seed system transformation. Summary of Cross-Cutting Performance The project demonstrated strong performance across gender, youth, climate resilience, digitalization, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Cross-cutting achievements provided the enabling environment necessary for scaling innovations sustainably and equitably, in line with CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact (S4I) principles. 8. Country Performance Seeds4Liberia is active across five counties—Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Margibi, and Montserrado—representing the country’s major production belts for rice, cassava, soybean, coffee, and aquaculture. Implementation performance across counties demonstrates strong progress in institutional capacity strengthening, technology deployment, early generation seed production, and value chain actor engagement. This section highlights key achievements by county, focusing on the degree of readiness, production outputs, and engagement of local institutions and private actors. 8.1 Bong County Bong County emerged as one of the strongest-performing counties across all value chains, due to its strategic location, strong farmer networks, and proximity to CARI. Key Achievements • Rice: o Strong uptake of breeder and foundation seed production support. o Seed growers from Bong were among the 35 trained in certified seed production. o Participation in adaptive trials and varietal demonstrations. • Cassava: o One of the largest hubs for cassava seed distribution. o Multiple FSPs (Foundation Seed Producers) actively multiplying stems from the SAH facility. o Cassava Field Day drew significant participation from Bong-based partners. • Soybean: o Part of the five-county rollout of 8 demonstration sites established by IITA. o Strong farmer interest (193 farmers in baseline FGDs across counties, including Bong). Presentation_Soybeans Value cha… • Coffee: o Seedlings distributed to cooperatives operating in Bong under the 267,000+ seedling rollout. • Fish: o Among counties where CBSEs and CBSPs were identified and engaged. o Training and mentorship provided through NaFAA and WorldFish. Overall County Performance Bong County has become the fastest-maturing seed systems hub, given its overlap of institutional, farmer, and enterprise structures. 8.2 Lofa County Lofa—traditionally a major rice-producing region—showed strong adoption of rice and soybean interventions, along with increasing engagement in cassava and fish seed production systems. Key Achievements • Rice: o Active participation of Lofa seed growers in certified seed training. o Households from Lofa represented in the 543-household rice preference survey. • Cassava: o Several FSPs selected in Lofa. o Stem distribution and multiplication underway. • Soybean: o Multiple demonstration sites selected in Lofa. o Extension staff and farmer groups trained in soybean multiplication. • Coffee: o Coffee cooperatives in Lofa benefited from seedling distribution and GAP ToT training. • Fish: o Fish farmers engaged in market intelligence surveys. o CBSPs identified for fingerling production scaling. Overall County Performance Lofa shows strong potential for scaling certified seeds and diversification, with farmers engaged across multiple chains. 8.3 Nimba County Nimba demonstrated strong adoption across all five value chains and hosts several key adaptive trials and demonstration plots. Key Achievements • Rice: o One of the three counties hosting adaptive trials (RCBD design). o Strong participation in seed grower training. • Cassava: o Major distribution area for SAH-derived planting material via FSPs. o Farmer participation in national cassava day events. • Soybean: o Demonstration sites established in Nimba. o Strong youth participation in soybean training sessions. • Coffee: o Coffee nurseries in Nimba received ~thousands of seedlings across the 299,000+ distributed. o Extension agents engaged in climate-smart coffee ToTs. • Fish: o Strong engagement of fish farmers and traders in the market intelligence study. o CBSEs from Nimba included in fingerling production training. Overall County Performance Nimba is a multi-value-chain hotspot, performing strongly in crop and aquaculture interventions due to high farmer density and market linkages. 8.4 Margibi County Margibi served as a strategic demonstration corridor for fish, soybean, cassava, and rice seed activities. Key Achievements • Rice: o Households from Margibi participated in consumer preference studies. o Local seed growers included in training and certification exercises. • Cassava: o FSPs supplied with high-quality stems. o Cassava stem multiplication fields established. • Soybean: o Youth FFBS site established in Margibi. o Extension staff trained from the county. • Coffee: o Seedling distribution and nursery strengthening activities included groups in Margibi. • Fish: o One of the two counties where NaFAA-led hatchery strengthening supports are concentrated (Tassah-NaFAA). o CBSEs identified for feed machinery support. Overall County Performance Margibi shows strong multi-sector engagement, especially in aquaculture and soybean, with rapid system uptake. 8.5 Montserrado County Montserrado hosts major policy actors, youth groups, and seed entrepreneur networks, making it a coordination hub for the project. Key Achievements • Rice: o Participation in seed producer training. o Engagement of SDCA and national certification systems. • Cassava: o FSPs located in Montserrado trained on SAH propagation. • Soybean: o Demonstration sites and extension activities covered Montserrado. • Coffee: o Coffee nurseries and distribution channels linked to farmer groups and markets in Montserrado. • Fish: o One Women-Led FFBS established in Montserrado—the county’s flagship gender achievement. o Interns from University of Liberia involved in aquaculture placements. o Strong representation of retailers, wholesalers, and consumers in the fish market intelligence. Overall County Performance Montserrado is the policy anchor and scaling coordination hub, showing strong performance in gender, youth, and multi-stakeholder platforms. 8.6 Summary of Country Performance Across the five counties, Seeds4Liberia demonstrates: Strongest performance in: • Rice: Bong, Nimba • Cassava: Bong, Margibi, Nimba • Soybean: Lofa, Nimba, Margibi • Coffee: Nimba, Lofa • Fish: Montserrado, Margibi, Bong Counties most ready for 2026 scaling phase: 1. Bong – strongest multisector performance 2. Nimba – highest engagement across value chains 3. Margibi – best emerging aquaculture hub 4. Lofa – strong rice + soybean potential 5. Montserrado – policy & coordination center Seeds4Liberia has laid the groundwork for a nationally harmonized scaling program, enabling rapid expansion from 2026 onward. 9. Gender & Youth Gender equity and youth empowerment are central pillars of Seeds4Liberia’s systems- strengthening vision. The project is intentionally structured to ensure that women and young people participate meaningfully in seed system development, technology deployment, and value chain upgrading across the five counties. This approach aligns with CGIAR’s principles of inclusive scaling and with the EU’s strategic priorities on gender equality, youth employment, and social inclusion. Seeds4Liberia delivered strong gender and youth outcomes during the reporting period, with increasing participation across technical training, enterprise development, value chain leadership, and governance. 9.1 Gender Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment Women are indispensable to Liberia’s crop and fish value chains—especially in cassava processing, rice weeding and post-harvest activities, coffee nursery management, and fish retailing. Seeds4Liberia intentionally positioned women as core contributors and leaders in these systems. 9.1.1 Women in Training and Capacity Development Women’s participation was visible across all value chains: Cassava • Women-led groups were among the 24 Foundation Seed Producers (FSPs) trained in SAH propagation, stem selection, business planning, and field management. • Women constituting a large share of Liberian cassava processors gained additional technical and business skills that will support adoption of certified planting materials. Fish • A women-led Fish Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) was established in Montserrado—the county’s flagship gender achievement. • Women participated in aquaculture trainings covering fingerling production, hatchery management, and pond preparation. Coffee • Women were engaged in seedling production training and agroforestry sessions, including nursery hygiene, shade-tree integration, and pruning. Rice • Women were involved in seed quality management, demonstration activities, and post-harvest handling training. Soybean • Women participated in soybean field management trainings, including thinning, weeding, and application of Rhizobium inoculants. Across all value chains, female participation increased awareness, improved technical competency, and strengthened women’s leadership in seed and fish value chains. 9.1.2 Women’s Enterpreneurship and Income Opportunities The project created new entrepreneurship pathways for women: • Cassava FSPs: Women-led enterprises now multiplying SAH-derived planting materials for sale across counties. • Rice seed production: Women engaged in seed cleaning and quality sorting; some are emerging as small-scale seed entrepreneurs. • Coffee nurseries: Female-led cooperatives actively managing coffee seedlings and participating in climate-smart production. • Aquaculture: Women-led groups supported through FFBS are preparing to become CBSPs for fingerling production. These opportunities enhance women's economic agency while contributing to inclusive, sustainable scaling pathways. 9.1.3 Reducing Women’s Work Burden Through Technology Mechanization and improved tools directly reduced women’s labor burden in: • Rice land preparation and harvesting (power tillers, reapers) • Soybean planting and thinning (improved spacing tools) • Cassava stem cutting and handling (SAH-derived uniform stems) • Fish farming tasks (aeration, water quality equipment, feed formulation technologies) Reduced drudgery enables more equitable participation and increases productivity. 9.2 Youth Engagement and Empowerment Youth engagement is one of the strongest cross-cutting achievements of Seeds4Liberia. The project created skill-building, internship, and agribusiness opportunities across all five value chains. 9.2.1 Structured Internship Programs Across Value Chains Seeds4Liberia deployed an extensive internship program to strengthen youth technical capacity. Rice • Four interns from Stella Maris University completed a four-month internship in rice seed production, seed business management, and post-harvest handling. Cassava • Two interns participated in SAH operations, FSP support, and cassava propagation. Soybean • Two interns assigned across IITA’s soybean activities, gaining comprehensive crop seed system experience. Coffee • Two interns and Youth involved in coffee nurseries, germplasm management, and GAP ToTs, particularly in Nimba and Lofa. Fish • Five interns from the University of Liberia undertook hatchery internship placements and learned pond construction, CBS management, and indoor seed production. These structured internships enhanced employability and provided practical experience in emerging agricultural and aquaculture markets. Figure 8: Intern student and EU Delegation during a field visit 9.2.2 Development of Youth Agribusiness Opportunities Seeds4Liberia has generated multiple youth-focused agribusiness pathways: Seed Production and Seedling Nurseries • Young farmers are emerging as certified rice seed growers. • Youth are managing soybean demo plots, preparing for future FSP roles. • Coffee nursery management under youth cooperatives is expanding. Aquaculture Entrepreneurship • Youth engaged as Community-Based Seed Producers (CBSPs). • Training prepares them for roles in fingerling production, pond construction, feed formulation, and market linkages. Mechanization and Technical Services • Youth targeted for training on machinery use—tillers, reapers, seeders—to offer mechanization services to farmers. Data and Digital Skills • Youth contributed to data collection in surveys, adaptive trials, seed sampling, and hatchery logbooks. • Digital literacy strengthened through M&E and SAH data tracking systems. These opportunities align with Liberia’s national youth employment strategy and CGIAR’s S4I orientation toward inclusive, youth-led scaling ecosystems. 9.2.3 Youth Leadership in Farmer Field Business Schools (FFBS) Youth actively participated in FFBS development: • Youth-led FFBS in Margibi County for soybean. • Youth participation in fish FFBS and aquaculture seed systems. • Co-leadership roles in rice and cassava demonstration activities. The FFBS model is proving effective in building leadership, entrepreneurship, and technical capacity among youth. 9.3 Gender- and Youth-Responsive Scaling Pathways Seeds4Liberia’s scaling model integrates gender and youth considerations by: • Ensuring women and youth have equitable access to inputs (stems, seeds, seedlings, fingerlings) • Prioritizing women and youth groups for enterprise formation (FSPs, CBSPs, seed growers) • Targeting FFBS to women- and youth-dominated communities • Embedding gender and youth representation in seed governance structures (e.g., SDCA platforms) • Reducing drudgery through mechanization • Expanding opportunities for youth internships and employment These elements ensure that scaling benefits reach women and youth equitably and sustainably. Summary of Gender & Youth Performance Seeds4Liberia delivered strong gender and youth outcomes by: • Engaging women and youth in training, seed production, nursery management, aquaculture, and governance • Creating entrepreneurship pathways across all value chains • Reducing labor burdens through mechanization and modern propagation technologies • Strengthening youth employability through structured internships • Supporting women-led agribusiness and fish farming groups • Ensuring gender- and youth-responsive scaling across counties These achievements reinforce the project’s commitment to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable seed system transformation. 10. Digitalization Digitalization is a strategic enabler of the Seeds4Liberia project, supporting data-driven decision-making, enhancing seed quality assurance, and strengthening monitoring across all five value chains. During the reporting period, the project introduced digital tools, data systems, and technology-enabled monitoring processes that improved traceability, transparency, and operational efficiency. These systems are foundational for scaling and align fully with CGIAR’s S4I vision for digitally supported seed systems. 10.1 Digital Tools for Seed Quality Assurance and Testing Digital technologies strengthened Liberia’s emerging seed certification system, especially through tools deployed at the CARI Seed Laboratory and SDCA. 10.1.1 S21 Rice Statistical Analyzer The project installed the S21 Rice Statistical Analyzer at CARI, enabling: • Accurate purity analysis • Accelerated, standardized germination testing • Automated reporting • Enhanced varietal integrity checks • More reliable breeder and foundation seed quality control This tool is now embedded in SDCA’s certification workflow. 10.1.2 Digital Seed Inspection and Certification Templates SDCA received: • Standardized digital field inspection templates • Digital certificate drafting formats • Digital registers for tracking seed lots, inspections, and sampling This system forms the backbone of Liberia’s emerging national seed certification architecture. 10.2 Digital Systems for Data Collection, Monitoring, and Reporting The project introduced digitalized M&E processes to support field data collection, seed system performance tracking, and reporting. 10.2.1 Standardized Project M&E Templates All value chains use harmonized digital forms for: • Seed production monitoring • Distribution records • Training attendance • Demonstration site performance • Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) metrics These tools improve data quality, reduce manual errors, and ensure consistent reporting across CGIAR centers. 10.2.2 Digital Tracking of SAH Cassava Multiplication Cassava SAH operations use digital logs to track: • Plantlet generation • Multiplication cycles • Transfers to FSPs • Mortality rates • Environmental control parameters This enables real-time monitoring of planting material health and supports SAH production scaling. 10.2.3 Aquaculture Digital Logs for Hatchery Operations WorldFish introduced digital logging systems for: • Broodstock rotation under CBS • Hatching cycles • Fingerling survival rates • Water quality parameters • Feeding schedules These tools will be essential for national aquaculture seed certification and traceability. 10.3 Digitalization for Value Chain Market Intelligence Seeds4Liberia deployed digital data collection tools to conduct market intelligence studies for rice, fish, and other value chains. For Rice Digital surveys (543 households across counties) captured: • Consumer preferences • Price sensitivity • Grain quality attributes • Drivers of adoption of ORYLUX-6 and IR841 For Fish Digital surveys across 5 counties engaged: • Fish retailers • Wholesalers • Transporters • Hatchery operators • Farmers These tools enabled rapid, high-quality analysis of market systems crucial for designing scaling pathways. 10.4 Digital Support for Training and Capacity Development Across all value chains, digital tools were integrated into training and capacity-building approaches. Key achievements: • Digital presentations and modules used during ToTs (e.g., coffee, soybean, rice). • Digital photo and GPS documentation of demo sites and nursery locations. • Use of laptops and tablets in FFBS and youth internship activities. • Hands-on digital training for interns on monitoring, data entry, and basic analytics. Digital integration stre