By: Samuel Flomo
PANTA Pride Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Quanuquanei Alfred Karmue, has cautioned that Liberia’s quest for sustainable development will remain uncertain unless agriculture is treated as a national emergency priority. Making remarks during a recent engagement, Karmue described agriculture as the “engine of real economic transformation,” noting that no country with vast arable land should struggle with food insecurity and rising import bills.
He stressed that the future of Liberia’s economy depends on deliberate investment in farming activities across all fifteen counties. Karmue highlighted rice, cassava, oil palm, and rubber as strategic crops capable of generating employment, boosting exports, and strengthening the country’s revenue base. Referencing a World Bank report, he noted that agricultural output recorded a 3.4 percent increase in 2024. The report attributed the growth largely to an 18 percent surge in rubber production and an 8.5 percent increase in rice production. The same report indicated that more than 75 percent of Liberia’s population relies on agriculture for livelihood, while the sector contributes between 25 and 35 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It also pointed to initiatives such as the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), which has reached over 64,500 beneficiaries and enhanced smallholder productivity. Despite these improvements, Karmue argued that Liberia is not maximizing its agricultural potential. He observed that other developing nations have successfully used agriculture as a foundation for industrial growth and poverty reduction, urging Liberia to follow a similar path with clear policies and sustained funding. He further called on the Boakai-Koung Administration to ensure that the 137 yellow earth-moving machines recently procured by government are deployed strategically to rehabilitate feeder roads. According to him, improving road connectivity will reduce transportation costs, minimize post-harvest losses, and expand farmers’ access to markets nationwide. Through its Agriculture Initiative, the Foundation is actively engaged in large-scale rice cultivation and vegetable production, creating jobs for over 100 young people in Electoral District #4, Bong County.
Karmue reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to empowering local farmers and supporting Liberia’s long-term agricultural transformation.