Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has praised the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its significant contributions to Liberia’s rice sector through the “Improving Rice Production for Smallholders Project,” widely known as JICA LIBRICE.
Dr. Nuetah delivered these remarks during the fourth Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting held at the Ministry of Agriculture, as the four-year project, launched in 2021, nears its conclusion in Bong County.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to JICA for their unwavering support, the local team for their dedication, and the Japanese experts who have worked hand-in-hand with our Ministry to ensure tangible results in advancing rice production techniques in Liberia,” said Dr. Nuetah. “One of its most valuable outcomes is the development of a detailed manual that outlines step-by-step, practical guidelines for effective rice farming, based on JICA’s tried and tested methods.”
He emphasized expanding the project’s impact beyond pilot efforts and broader implementation. ”We know some of our technicians in the field benefited from this project, creating a path for sustainable rice production. We want to ensure that we move beyond the field trials and proceed with expansion. For this reason, we have formally requested JICA to expand this project, engaging with the farmers themselves to achieve a more significant impact.” Dr. Nuetah highlighted the strong ties between Liberia and Japan, adding, “The Japanese government has been very helpful to Liberia. There are a lot of things that Japan has done for this country in the field of agriculture. We want to use this JICA project to expand further – a springboard for deeper collaboration moving forward.”
Joining the event virtually from Japan, Dr. Hitoshi Fujiie, Deputy Director General of JICA’s Economic Development Department, expressed appreciation for the successful partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture:
“I sincerely thank the counterpart team at the Ministry of Agriculture, our Japanese experts, and above all, the farmers and committee members who have worked with unwavering dedication over the past four years. This success would not have been possible without the Ministry’s strong leadership and sense of ownership. The trust and collaboration built through our field-level engagement have been the true foundation of this project. As we conclude this journey, I am confident that the Ministry will continue to lead efforts to sustain and expand these achievements.”
Key achievements of the JICA LIBRICE project include the development of a technical handbook on rice production, officially endorsed by Hon. Moses Gbanyan, Deputy Minister for Regional Development, Research and Extension. In addition, labor costs have been reduced by 37%, thanks to the adoption of labor-saving techniques that have improved the overall cost-efficiency of rice farming.
As the project officially concludes in May 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture reaffirms its commitment to leveraging these results, promoting improved practices, and ensuring that the knowledge, tools, and systems introduced under JICA LIBRICE benefit rice farmers throughout Liberia.
