Agriculture Ministry Distributes Second Batch of Cayenne Pepper Seeds as Liberia Pushes Toward Export Market
Monrovia, Liberia – July 31, 2026: The Ministry of Agriculture has distributed a second batch of 200,000 cayenne pepper seeds to 40 farmers, stepping up efforts to expand commercial production and position Liberia for entry into the international pepper market.
Each farmer received 5,000 seeds under the initiative, which is being implemented through the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P), with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The latest distribution follows 400,000 seeds distributed in May this year, bringing the total to 600,000 cayenne pepper seeds. Some beneficiaries of the first batch are already reporting flowering pepper plants, signaling encouraging progress in the production cycle.
Speaking during the distribution, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah said the Government is aiming for a major export milestone before the end of the year.
“By the end of this year, we want to see Liberia exporting the first container of pepper. Whether to Turkey or to China, we want to see that happen,” Dr. Nuetah said.
The initiative was launched in May to develop cayenne pepper as a high-value commercial crop and create new income opportunities for farmers through production linked directly to identified markets.
The first phase involved 42 farmer groups from Bomi, Montserrado, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Margibi, Grand Gedeh, Nimba and Bong counties.
According to Khalil Dukuly of Dukuly International Agricultural Company, a private-sector farmer collaborating with the Ministry, beneficiaries are receiving more than planting materials.
“We are not only giving farmers seeds; they are also receiving fertilizers and technical assistance to address diseases, fungi, pests and other production challenges. The Ministry is also working with competent private-sector actors to help reach more farmers and provide the support they need to succeed,” Dukuly said.
On market access, Dr. Nuetah disclosed that a potential buyer from Turkey, who attended the National Agriculture Fair last year, has expressed interest in sourcing pepper from Liberia. A Chinese company has also shown interest in serving as an off-taker for the Chinese market.
The Minister said the cayenne variety being promoted was recommended based on the prospective Chinese buyer's requirements. He challenged farmers to help Liberia produce at least 20 metric tons of dried cayenne pepper for export.
“I challenged myself that Liberia should be able to send 20 metric tonnes to China, and I’m sure we can do it,” he said.
Attention is also being given to post-harvest handling. Dr. Nuetah disclosed that the Ministry is exploring the acquisition of solar dryers for farmer groups to ensure harvested pepper is properly dried and packaged to meet international market standards.
Beyond production and export, the Minister said the initiative is intended to translate market opportunities into tangible economic benefits for farmers.
“This is the Government’s own way of empowering you to increase household income and your source of livelihood,” he said.
Through STAR-P and with IFAD support, the Ministry is strengthening the cayenne pepper value chain from production and technical assistance to post-harvest handling and market access, as part of broader efforts to make agriculture more commercially viable and increase income opportunities for Liberian farmers.
