KAKATA, MARGIBI COUNTY: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has declared that, Liberia is firmly committed to the goals of reducing hunger and malnutrition by supporting sustainable food systems.
He also disclosed that his administration is endeavoring to create agriculture bank to ensure funding to farmers.
The President urged all stakeholders to play their part to ensure the actualization of this shared vision.
He noted: “The clarion call of this Fair is clear, “Liberians Feed Yourselves.”
“For far too long, we have relied on imports to meet our food needs, as such, this must change because Liberia has fertile soil, abundant resources, and industrious people,” the President stressed.
President Boakai added that it is high time that we pull ourselves together and harness these assets to feed ourselves and build an agriculture-driven economy.
He indicated that, taking into accounts the demographics of this country, the Government is prioritizing youth participation in agriculture.
He added that, in collaborating with partners and stakeholders, the Government of Liberia is aiming at creating opportunities for young people to lead in agriculture.
“To you our young farmers present today, I say take yourselves as the future of agriculture in Liberia. Be assured that the Government will continue to support you with training, funding, and resources including the use of appropriate technology to help you succeed in this noble mission,” he said.
He used the occasion to summon the attention of all stakeholders and in the same breadth, extended an open hand to international partners, private sector players, and financial institutions to join in transforming Liberia’s agriculture sector.
“Truly, I cannot conclude without heaping commendations on the Ministry of Agriculture and all those who have worked tirelessly to organize this year’s Fair. Your dedication, indeed, exemplifies the spirit of service and patriotism that Liberia needs,” he noted.
The President told the Farmers, Partners that, the path to food security begins with a single step and that is with a farmer planting a seed.
“This is then followed by a government investing in agriculture, and on to a community coming together to support local production,” he said.
He, as Chief Executive of the nation and farmer, is committed to advancing policies and programs that prioritize agriculture, empower our citizens, and ensure sustainable development for generations to come.
“We have all reasons to celebrate the success of Liberia’s agriculture sector. He, however, acknowledges the huge task that lies ahead.”
He urged Liberians to rise to this occasion and work together to ensure that Liberia feeds itself, nourishes its people, and sustains its development for generations to come.
“It is now my great honor to declare the National Agriculture Fair 2024 officially open. May this event inspire greater investment, collaboration, and innovation in Liberia’s agriculture sector: he said.
He, however, expressed his profound gratitude to the hardworking farmers who continue to provide for the nation, and to our partners and stakeholders whose support has been instrumental in advancing our agricultural sector.
According to him, this year’s National Agriculture Fair is not just an event but, it is a call to action as well as it is a reminder of the collective responsibility, we share in building a resilient agricultural sector capable of meeting our food security, nutrition, and development needs.
Today, as we officially open this Fair, we celebrate our farmers, their innovations, and their dedication. Even more so, we recommit ourselves to addressing the persistent challenges that hinder our agricultural progress.
He pointed out that, the ARREST Agenda of this Administration is grounded in five pillars namely: Agriculture, Roads, Rural of Laws, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
He said Agriculture, being the cornerstone, is central to achieving food security and improving livelihoods across Liberia.
He further said in line with this agenda, the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP 2024–2030) provides a roadmap for transforming the sector, with much focus on enhancing smallholder productivity.
He noted that, Particular effort will be directed to expanding value chains to connect farmers to markets and to building climate resilience in agriculture.
He said under the NADP, they aim to boost the productivity of critical crops like rice, cassava, cocoa, and vegetables. We are also working to mechanize farming, provide inputs and support, poultry, and modernize infrastructure to ensure the sector thrives.
“It is therefore by no accident that our efforts resonate with the global agenda of ending hunger and poverty by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),’ he said.
He also said Liberia is committed to promoting gender equity by empowering women in farming; and fostering partnerships to mobilize resources for agricultural development.
The Liberian President made the statement at the official opening of the National Agriculture Fair 2024 (NAF 2024) held on the campus of the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) Campus in Kakata, Margibi County, on December 6, 2024.
