By Samuel Flomo, Jr.
The General Manager of LUA Agriculture Incorporated Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Albert Gbelee, has issued a strong call for increased national investment in cassava farming, declaring the crop a strategic pillar for Liberia’s food security and economic transformation.
Speaking on the growing importance of cassava in Liberia’s agricultural sector, Gbelee emphasized that cassava remains the country’s second staple food after rice and is cultivated by nearly 60 percent of farming households nationwide.
In many rural communities, he noted, cassava serves as a reliable substitute for rice, helping families survive during periods of rice shortage or high market prices.
“Cassava is not just a crop; it is a lifeline for thousands of Liberian families,” Gbelee stressed. “If we are serious about food security and reducing dependency on imports, then we must invest seriously in cassava production and value addition,” he further noted.
Citing available agricultural data, he explained that cassava holds enormous untapped potential beyond its traditional consumption.
According to him, the crop can be processed into a wide range of products including gari, high-quality flour, bread, milk, butter, biscuits, and other food items with both local market demand and export prospects.
Despite this potential, Gbelee outlined significant obstacles hindering large-scale cassava production in Liberia.
He pointed to the lack of modern processing machinery, limited government support, and insufficient international investment as major setbacks slowing the sector’s growth.
“With access to modern technology and proper investment, we can process cassava more efficiently, increase production capacity, and supply markets across Liberia and beyond,” he said.
“Value addition is the key to job creation, income generation, and economic growth.”
Gbelee has urged the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Liberia to prioritize cassava farming as a national development agenda, calling for policies and financial support that would empower cooperatives and local producers.
“It is time for Liberia to look at cassava beyond its traditional uses,” he added. “Cassava must be positioned as a commercial crop capable of transforming rural communities and strengthening our economy.”
The LUA Agriculture Incorporated Multipurpose Cooperative Society, based in Bong County, specializes in cassava processing and is currently focused on producing high-quality “super gari” for commercial distribution.