The Government of Liberia has set ambitious goals for rice production, with Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah projecting a 45% reduction in rice importation by the year 2025. During a recent interview in Bong Mines, Lower Bong County, Nuetah emphasized the necessity for Liberia to boost local rice cultivation rather than rely solely on imports. He remains confident in the capacity of Liberian farmers to meet this challenge, highlighting the government’s commitment to cultivating rice on roughly 4,696 hectares of land. This initiative is expected to yield around 7,000 metric tons, a contribution that, while significant, still falls short relative to the nation’s total rice consumption of approximately 516,000 metric tons in 2023.
To achieve these goals, Minister Nuetah indicates that through current initiatives and support for smallholder farmers, Liberia aims to increase its domestic rice production to about 35% by the end of the following year. With strategic government investments and farmer engagement, he believes the targeted 45% domestically grown rice can be realized. The Ministry has launched a series of projects in counties such as Bong and Margibi to bolster food security and decrease reliance on imported rice. A notable event on November 2, 2024, included the launching of 100 acres for lowland rice cultivation, demonstrating the government’s proactive approach to local agricultural production.
In partnership with the Makona Agriculture and Development Corporation (MADECO), Minister Nuetah is confident that these efforts will lead to increased local production and improve food security. Underlining MADECO’s capabilities, their average operation size is approximately 215 acres, allowing for significant contributions to local rice supplies. The campaign to increase rice production aligns with the broader “Liberians Feed Yourselves” initiative aimed at fostering self-sufficiency in food production. Besides lowland rice projects, the Ministry of Agriculture is also expanding other large-scale cultivation sites across different counties, specifically mentioning the potential for various areas in Bong and Nimba to become hubs for rice production.
During his recent visits, Minister Nuetah also examined the operations of the Fuamah Multipurpose Cooperative and other farms in Margibi County, advocating for local farmers to expand their production efforts. With new mechanization efforts taking root, like the first mechanized farm in Bong County, the Minister believes that increased agricultural support can create jobs and a robust food system. He highlighted estimations of producing up to 450,000 25kg rice bags at the Fumah site alone, underlining the potential yield increases as operations and technology improve.
Recognizing legislative support as crucial for agriculture, Dr. Nuetah has reached out to lawmakers to bolster their engagement in the nation’s agricultural development. By aligning government policies with farmer needs and collaborating through the National Agriculture Plan, he aims to secure funding and resources dedicated to the agricultural sector. This legislative backing could significantly bolster the local market and prepare for the substantial demand for rice within Liberia, further solidifying the commitment toward becoming self-sufficient in rice production.
As the government ramps up support for locally-sourced rice, Minister Nuetah affirms that by January next year, Liberians can expect to see freshly grown rice on the market. Five distinct brands have already been identified for processing, paving the way for a healthier, homegrown alternative to imported rice. The Minister expressed hope and determination for these initiatives, emphasizing that increasing local rice production is pivotal not just for food security but also for the economic empowerment of Liberians involved in agriculture, thereby fostering a sustainable future outlook for the nation.
