Attachments
Executive Summary
Overall, since 2020, there has been mild improvement in livelihood security in Liberia, though significant territorial disparities persist. In the past four years, counties like Maryland and Bong have shown notable progress, while others, such as Grand Kru, River Cess, Sinoe, and Grand Bassa, have experienced sharp declines. Farmers, in particular, face lower levels of livelihood security compared to the general population. These trends highlight the uneven progress and growing vulnerabilities in key agricultural regions.
Securing Land Tenure to Promote Development and Institutional Trust. Secure land tenure, including rights to use, control, and transfer land, correlates with intergroup harmony, development satisfaction, and institutional trust. Robust legal frameworks to define and protect land rights, particularly for smallholder farmers, are essential. Educational campaigns are needed to inform farmers of their rights and strengthen local institutions for fair land transactions and dispute resolution. Prioritizing land ownership issues in rural areas within the ARREST strategy is crucial for Liberia’s agricultural development and economic stability.
Preparing Farmers for Climate Change Through Effective Natural Resource Management. Currently, 92 percent of the farmers in Liberia live with either a critical or a severe level of livelihood security. The degradation of the climatic conditions will affect this category of the population more than the others. In this regard, effective Natural Resources Management (NRM) mechanisms are essential to mitigate climatic stressors and enhance environmental security for agriculture. Sustainable NRM strategies can reduce adverse climate impacts and ecological degradation through cooperative resource-sharing and collective management systems. Integrating secure land tenure with comprehensive NRM and environmental policies is critical for achieving sustainable development and resilience against environmental challenges.
Leveraging Local Authorities to Support Rural Livelihoods. Farmers place more trust in local authorities than other employment categories, due to their accessibility and responsiveness. This trust is reinforced by practical, economic, and cultural factors. Local authorities are seen as more capable of addressing immediate needs and crises. It is crucial to involve local authorities in the development and implementation of ARREST policies, particularly in rural areas. Their involvement will enhance adherence to projects and improve the efficiency of rural initiatives.
Strengthening State Presence and Safety Nets for Vulnerable Populations. Health services, education services, and the availability of administrative documents have been identified as critical resilience factors. These services act as safety nets during economic downturns, helping 6 vulnerable populations cope with stressors. The ARREST strategy’s focus on developing these public sectors is well-founded. In rural areas, there is a significant expectation for improved road infrastructure and a more efficient healthcare system. Effective state presence and accessible public services are essential for implementing development policies and achieving poverty reduction objectives.
Developing an Evidence-Based Tool to Track and Enhance Livelihood Security. Longitudinal SCORE surveys indicate that the factors affecting livelihood security (LS) and resilience have remained stable over the years. This stability highlights the need for a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tool, such as the proposed Dashboard for Tracking resilient Livelihoods (DATLiv). This tool will provide regular, intuitive updates to policymakers on local strengths and weaknesses, supporting the ARREST strategy. By delivering timely and actionable data, DATLiv will enable informed decision-making and targeted interventions to strengthen LS and resilience across Liberia.