Project Brief : Liberia (Oct 2013)

The main economic sectors of Liberia, including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, are highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. The agricultural sector contributes over 66% to Liberia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) andover 90% of subsistence farmers are dependent on rain. Recent changes in rainfall patterns have made it increasingly difficult to identify the optimal time to plant crops. The onset and duration of seasonal rainfall is becoming unpredictable, aggravating pest and disease problems. Any climate change impact on fisheries will affect food security, because fisheries provide the main source of animal protein in the typical Liberian diet. . Climate change will impact forestry by affecting tree growth, as well as tree survival and timber quality, which will also be negatively impacted by pests and diseases. In addition,  changes in rainfall and temperature patterns are expected to result in an increased incidence of water-borne diseases, such as malaria, cholera and dysentery. The Liberian hydro-meteorological services have a limited capacity to monitor, forecast, archive, analyse and communicate information on water resources and climate.

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