LIBERIA – Liberia, heavily reliant on food imports for over half of its annual consumption, has unveiled a new National Agricultural Development Plan (NADP) to enhance food security and reduce dependence on external food supplies.
The plan prioritizes the rice and cassava sectors as cornerstones of the country’s agricultural strategy from 2024 to 2029.
Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Agriculture, announced the launch of NADP on July 8, highlighting its comprehensive scope and ambitious goals. With a total budget of US$718 million, the plan will be funded through diverse sources.
Partners are expected to contribute 40% (US$287 million), while the private sector pledges 30% (US$215 million). The remaining funding will be sourced from government allocations and the active involvement of small-scale farmers.
Key initiatives under NADP focus on expanding the commodity value chains for rice and cassava. The plan targets the development of 50,000 hectares in lowlands to bolster rice cultivation and aims to increase cassava cultivation areas by 20,000 hectares by 2029.
“We aim to achieve self-sufficiency in these staple crops to enhance food security. Additionally, we are promoting the cultivation of cash crops and expanding livestock production to boost farmer incomes and meet the population’s nutritional needs,” Minister Nuetah stated.
The plan also includes significant support for cash crops such as cocoa, coffee, coconut, and rubber to enhance productivity and market competitiveness in these sectors.
Liberia’s NADP underscores its commitment to sustainable agricultural development. Through enhanced agricultural productivity and diversification, it aims to meet domestic food requirements and foster economic growth.
According to the US Agency for International Development, Liberia’s hunger is severe. According to the 2021 Global Hunger Index, Liberia ranked 110 out of 116 countries regarding hunger conditions.
To alleviate this situation, the Board of Directors of the African Development Fund recently approved an additional US$10 million from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) to implement activities and scale up the impact of the Smallholder Agriculture Development for Food and Nutrition Security project in Liberia.
Additionally, around three weeks ago, Liberia received a rice donation from Japan valued at US$1.5 million to bolster food security.
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