Liberia is embarking on a significant agricultural initiative aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency and boosting its economy. The government has allocated a substantial investment of US$718 million to the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), focusing on key food crops like rice, cassava, beans, and vegetables.
Under the Liberian Feed Yourself project, Agriculture Minister J. Alexander Nuetah outlined the NADP’s strategic goals. The five-year plan, set to be launched on July 10, 2024, will bring together government officials, development partners, and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to establish a roadmap for self-sufficiency in food production.
A primary objective of the NADP is to stabilize commodity prices across Liberia. Minister Nuetah explained that the plan was developed within 100 days of President Boakai’s instructions and has been validated by partners. The country aims to achieve food self-sufficiency within six years.
The US$718 million investment will be sourced from various contributors, including the government (25%), the private sector (30%), small crop farmers (5%), and government partners (40%). Minister Nuetah detailed the specific contributions: “The government will contribute approximately $248 million, donors will provide $317 million, the private sector $72.1 million, and farmers will contribute $30 million.”
These funds will be allocated to develop the value chain of commodities, address cross-cutting issues, and support development activities such as capacity building for farmers and acquiring logistics. While the focus is on food crops, the NADP also aims to cultivate cash crops to generate income for farmers.
The plan includes initiatives to develop the cocoa, coffee, coconut, and rubber value chains and expand livestock production. To achieve these goals, the government has set specific targets, such as developing 50,000 hectares of lowland for rice production and 20,000 hectares for cassava production by the end of 2029.
Minister Nuetah emphasized the importance of these targets, stating, “Our aspiration is that by developing 20,000 hectares, we will produce enough rice and cassava to redirect the revenue currently spent on rice imports to other national priorities.”
To support the implementation of the NADP, the Ministry of Agriculture has established partnerships with international companies and organizations. These collaborations will provide technical expertise, value chain support, and resources to help Liberia achieve its agricultural development goals.