The President of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), Steve Werblow, has concluded a successful four-day visit to Liberia as a special guest of the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN). The landmark visit, marked by high-level engagements and capacity-building sessions, ended with a compelling call to action: Liberian journalists must take the lead in transforming agriculture through accurate, impactful, and solutions-driven reporting.
The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between agricultural journalists in Liberia and their global counterparts, promote dialogue on pressing agricultural issues, and highlight the vital role of journalism in achieving food security and sustainable development.
During his visit, the IFAJ President met with key government officials, including Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture, Alexander Nuetah. Their discussions centered on the need for strategic communication in agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and the role of informed media in driving agricultural growth.
“We are grateful for the partnership between Liberia and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists,” Minister Nuetah stated. “The support and collaboration of our media professionals are essential for achieving our national agricultural goals and contributing to the global discourse on food security and sustainability.”
The IFAJ delegation also engaged with stakeholders from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNIDO, and other agriculture-based NGOs, exploring ways to amplify the voices of farmers, influence agricultural policy, and promote climate-resilient practices.
A key highlight of the visit was a one-day seminar on agricultural journalism organized by LAEJN. The workshop brought together journalists, development partners, and agribusiness actors to explore challenges and opportunities in Liberia’s agricultural landscape. Topics included effective agricultural reporting, the use of technology in journalism, and communicating scientific research in accessible ways.
“The media must be more than observers—we must be active agents of change,” IFAJ President Steve Werblow told participants. “Liberia’s agricultural journalists have a unique role in shaping public opinion, informing policy, and giving farmers the knowledge they need to thrive.”
Journalists from across the country actively participated in the seminar, embracing the opportunity to enhance their professional skills and deepen their understanding of agriculture-related issues.
“We have learned so much during this visit,” said Thomas West, a member of LAEJN. “The training and insights provided by the IFAJ President will go a long way in improving the quality of our reporting and, in turn, advancing agriculture in Liberia.”
At the conclusion of the visit, President Werblow called for continuous collaboration between LAEJN and international partners, emphasizing IFAJ’s commitment to supporting African journalists in amplifying the voices of rural communities and shaping agriculture-focused narratives globally.
“We look forward to continued cooperation with Liberia’s agricultural journalists, and we are committed to providing ongoing support to help them overcome the challenges they face,” Werblow affirmed.
For LAEJN, the visit marks a new chapter in the evolution of agricultural journalism in the country. National Coordinator Estelle K. Liberty described the visit as “a major milestone,” underscoring the opportunity it presented for knowledge exchange and network strengthening.
“This visit has provided us with a unique platform to engage with international experts, strengthen our networks, and improve the capacity of our members to cover agricultural and environmental issues more effectively,” Liberty said. “It is not only an opportunity to learn from international best practices but also a call to action for local journalists to advocate more boldly for effective agricultural policies.”
Founded in 2018 and granted full membership in the IFAJ during the global congress in the Netherlands that same year, LAEJN has since positioned itself as a critical voice in Liberia’s agriculture and environment sectors.
The IFAJ President’s visit reaffirmed the importance of agricultural journalism in national development and left Liberian journalists energized to use their platforms to inform, empower, and inspire change in agriculture and rural development.
