Agriculture Agenda Taken To Rural Farmers

The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, is said to have   vigorously stepped up efforts to explain to rural farmers across Liberia the Government of Liberia interventions to aid farmers in the production of large scale rice and cassava farming. Dr. Nuetah at the head of a Ministry of Agriculture ( MOA) delegation including technicians from the ministry arrived in Gbartala, Bong County, taking with  them the  message of the Government National Agriculture Development Plan(NADP) otherwise called, The Liberians Feed Yourselves Initiative. At the Sua – Yelle Multipurpose Cooperation in Yellequelleh in Gbartala, the Agriculture Minister explained that the administration of President Joseph Nyuma  Boakai is supporting farmers engaged in low land ( swamp) rice farming and cassava production. Minister Nuetah told the farmers that government is helping farmers with seed rice, particularly for farmers engaged with large scale farming up to one hundred acres or more. He said the government is also providing, fertilizers, tools, technical assistance as well as fund to support farmers. “The goal is to ensure Liberian is food self sufficient,” Dr. Nuetah said. “Liberians eat plenty rice, but import about 70% rice into the country,” he added. Minister Nuetah said President Boakai is encouraging all Liberians to engage in farming, especially those in the rural areas. The Agriculture boss called on the farmers to double their efforts in farming rice and cassava in large quantity. By that, he said Liberia will be able to feed themselves. Minister Nuetah took similar message to Featuah in Suakoko District, Zoweinta, Wolota Clan, Kpaai District. The Agriculture Minister also went into the deep rich forest  to Yila  and Zabay towns  in Kpaai District. During the agriculture team visit to rural Bong County, the farmers expressed joy and said that they accept the government plan for Liberians to feed themselves. They praised the government for the initiative and thanked Dr. Nuetah for visiting them, something they said was first of its kind. However in Featuah , Commissioner Moses Dohntay who spoke on behalf of the residents called on government to fix the road leading to the town to enable them transport their produce. At the Sua – Yelle Multipurpose Cooperative, Musu Nana, head of the cooperative thanked Mr. Nuetah for the support the government has provided to the organization over the years through various projects of the MOA. Sua – Yelle Multipurpose Cooperative is involved with large rice farming and is also bagging its rice for sale on the Liberian market.  The cooperative is also involved animal and cassava farming, vegetables amongst others. Additionally in Zabay, the farmers appreciated the MOA team and called for more support to the community to enable them produce more food. “Minister Nuetah thank you for the hard work and visit,” Mr. Nathaniel W.Lloyd said. “We also want to called on you to provide us with technical assistance, tools and cash to enable us engage in this large scale farming you talked about,” he appealed. The Agriculture Minister tour is also in commemoration of the 2025 production season with emphasis on rice.