Gov’t Launches Ambitious Agriculture Plan

The ambitious move is to boost agriculture in the country and make Liberia self-sufficient in food production.

By: Kruah Thompson 

Monrovia, July 11, 2024-President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has launched a six-year National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) under the theme “Liberian Feed Yourself Agenda.”

The USD 718M plan promised to reinvigorate the agricultural sector and enhance self-sufficiency in food production across Liberia from 2024 to 2030.

Agriculture in Liberia faces several obstacles that impede its growth and effectiveness. These include inadequate infrastructure such as roads and storage facilities, a lack of seeds and fertilizers, insufficient storage and processing facilities, and limited access to modern farming techniques and technologies due to ineffective agricultural extension services.  In addition, inconsistent policies, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and weak institutions hinder the sector’s growth and effectiveness.

These factors contribute to low productivity in agricultural activities, resulting in increased dependence on imported commodities consumed by citizens.

However, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, President Boakai launched a $718 million National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) under the theme ‘Liberian Feed Yourself Agenda,’ aiming to address these challenges.

“Knowing agriculture to be the backbone of our economy, we must take proactive steps to harness every potential in the sector, bringing progress and development to our people.”

Speaking during the launch at the EJS Ministerial Complex, Congo Town, Liberia, President Boakai revealed that the NADP is not just a plan but a game changer—a roadmap to a more secure and sustainable future built on a thriving agricultural sector.

“The NADP is a policy framework intended to harness Liberia’s vast agricultural potential, reducing our over-reliance on food importation and shifting towards abundance.”

The President further argued that importing commodities that could be produced locally subsidizes the agricultural development of other countries. He urged all Liberians to support their own agricultural activities by consuming locally produced goods.

“Our country has vast arable lands suitable for rice cultivation, yet we import 70% of the rice we consume. We should redirect our scarce foreign exchange resources into domestic development—building roads, schools, health facilities, and creating jobs.”

He emphasized that the $718 million “Liberian Feed Yourself Agenda” initiative aims to support farmers, increase productivity, and enhance efficiency through agricultural infrastructure, technology, and research investments.

“We will train our farmers in modern agricultural technologies and empower them with resources for large-scale cooperative farms. The NADP will revolutionize agricultural practices, making it a smart and profitable business that attracts many Liberians, especially our youth.”

President Boakai vowed to provide farmers with necessary resources such as farmlands, modern technology, farm-to-market roads, and improved seeds to stimulate large-scale farming for local consumption and export.

“We will also promote the production of cash crops for export to revive our economy.”

He expressed confidence that Liberia has spent too long in the agricultural wilderness, and it is time to reach the promised land.

“We can build a resilient and self-reliant agricultural sector with faith in ourselves and the task ahead.”

President Boakai called on all Liberians to embrace his vision of revolutionizing agriculture across Liberia.