The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture says it will on tomorrow, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, launch the “Liberian Feed Yourself” project to empower farmers across the country as well as promote food sufficiency.
Speaking Monday, July 8, 2024 in Monrovia, Agriculture Minister Dr. J Alexander Nuetah said the project targets various commodities including rice, cassava, vegetables, among others, as part of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s quest to see Liberia become food sufficient before he leaves office.
Minister Nuetah said the ministry will ensure that famers focus on growing more cassava and corn while investing in the development of coco, coconut and rubber, among others.
The project, he said, is intended to guide the country’s development plan to the point where it would go beyond importing beef to producing it.
He disclosed that the total cost of the project is US 7.8 million which will cover the development of 50,000 hectares for rice and 20,000 hectares of cassava.
“This plan is to direct the path of not just the government but also their development partners, and create an opportunity for those in the private sector,” he said.
Minister Nuetah said it is his expectation that the private sector will invest in about 30% of the plan; small holder farmers will do 5%, development partners, 40%, and the government will do 35% in terms of funding.
Based on bilateral discussions with various Chinese ministries and industries, he said that the team successfully signed three memorandums of understanding (MOU).
According to him, discussions are underway for the possible signing of MOUs for cooperation with other ministries and industries that were engaged.
He revealed that Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture of Liberia and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of The People’s Republic of China. It aims to foster and improve bilateral cooperation in agriculture, strengthen technical cooperation to promote agriculture development and food security in the two countries.
The Minister then spoke of a Joint Working group (JWG) established to supervise the implementation of the MOU and facilitate coordination between parties by determining the activities, programs and measures to be carried out.
Under this MOU, the JWG will establish a communication channel to exchange information, progress updates and address challenges promptly, while convening once every two years in Liberia or China with a theme and agenda decided by the group. The MOU is valid for a period of five years and can be extended.
Minister Nuetah said it will help to strengthen agriculture, food security, environmental protection, disaster reduction and help cope with climate change, green development of agriculture and smart and sustainable development.
