AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS
Chairman’s Message
We are excited to invite you to join us in our effort to boost economic opportunities and improve the health and well-being of Liberians through agricultural and agribusiness development. Similar to the Natural Resources Cluster, our goal is to bring together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and communities to foster innovation in the Liberian agricultural sector.
As Liberia develops, we invite you to join us in advancing the agricultural sector. This includes the academic community in Liberia that promotes agriculturally related programs. We are apolitical and share our knowledge with the Liberian government and people. Our goal is to fully involve the Liberian people in 1) training the next generation of agricultural professionals, 2) strengthening agriculture by supporting the country’s agricultural productivity through innovative research and extension programs, and 3) prioritizing the development and adoption of new technologies to improve agricultural practices.
When you join us, you’ll quickly see that this cluster fosters a shared vision rooted in a common purpose to serve the Liberian people. By uniting the efforts of all the clusters within COLED, we become more agile and respond swiftly to the changing needs of the Liberian people. The time has come for us to leverage our knowledge and expertise to pursue opportunities and achieve meaningful results.
Vision Statement
To serve as the diaspora-driven catalyst in providing expertise to the Liberian Government and people to increase food security.
Mission Statement
To bring together Liberian agriculture expertise, resources, governance, and leadership in the diaspora to enhance the management and long-term development of Liberia’s agriculture sector. We establish partnerships with government institutions, local communities, and private stakeholders to promote accountability, build institutional capacity, and ensure that resource development delivers lasting social and economic benefits for all Liberians.
Purpose Statement
As we work to bridge global expertise with local implementation of agricultural production in Liberia, our purpose is to:
- Provide technical advisory services and leadership development for government agencies, community leaders, and the Academy.
- Provide technical advisory services for the development of value-added agricultural products.
- Assist with technical advisory services in post-harvest technology.
Critical Issues:
- Limited access to modern farming techniques
- Impact of climate change
- Inadequate infrastructure
- Limited access to credit
- Education
Dr. Alton B. Johnson
Chairman
Alton B. Johnson, PhD
Dr. Alton B. Johnson is a distinguished academic leader, researcher, and administrator with extensive experience in agricultural science, water resources management, and land-grant university systems. He is widely recognized for his leadership in advancing research, extension services, and institutional development within higher education.
He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy with a concentration in Soil Physics from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He also earned a master’s degree in Agronomy, specializing in Soil and Water Management and Conservation, from Mississippi State University, and a bachelor’s degree in General Agriculture from the University of Liberia.
Dr. Johnson currently serves as Director of the Rice Research and Extension Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the University’s largest off-campus flagship research and extension facility. His career reflects a wealth of leadership experience across multiple land-grant institutions.
Prior to his current role, Dr. Johnson served as Dean and Professor of Water Resources Management in the College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture, and as Director of University Land-Grant Programs at Central State University (2016–2021). Earlier, he held the positions of Dean, Research Director, and Extension Administrator at Prairie View A&M University (2011–2016), and Interim Assistant Dean of Research and Chief Research Officer at Alcorn State University (2009–2011).
During his sixteen-year tenure at Alcorn State University (1994–2011), Dr. Johnson held several key leadership roles, including Interim Research Director, President of the Faculty Assembly, Chair of the University Athletics Committee, and Faculty Athletics Representative. He also served in the President’s Office as Co-Chair of the Transition Team for the University’s 17th President and as an advisor on land-grant issues. Additionally, he was Director of the Mississippi River Research Center, where he led research and public service initiatives focused on improving water resources in Mississippi.
Dr. Johnson has further strengthened his leadership capacity through advanced professional development. He holds certification from the Leadership for the 21st Century (LEAD21) program and a Certificate of Achievement in Leadership Excellence from the American Management Association (AMA). He has also completed executive training programs in strategic planning, executive leadership, critical thinking, marketing, and leadership preparation. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education at Harvard University Graduate School of Education and has completed coursework in Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University Extension School.
One of Dr. Johnson’s most notable achievements occurred during his tenure at Central State University, where he worked closely with members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation to secure increased funding through the 2018 Congressional Farm Bill. This effort resulted in a permanent increase in the university’s combined Research and Extension funding from $4.6 million to $21.4 million, significantly strengthening the institution’s land-grant mission.
Dr. Johnson is widely respected for his strategic leadership, commitment to academic excellence, and impactful contributions to agricultural research, education, and public service.
