The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, has disclosed that the Ministry of Agriculture is targeting about one thousand three hundred and fifty hectares of lowland ( swamp) in Lofa County for rice production in Liberia. Minister Nuetah made the statement while on a visit to farmers in the county recently. The Agriculture Minister said President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s vision for agriculture in Liberia is to have Liberia self- sufficient in food production, particularly in rice cultivation. He told a gathering of farmers in Salayea, Lofa County, that government intends to cultivate about six thousand five hundred hectares of lowland around the country this year for rice production. “We need to use our soil and hands to improve our lives,” Dr. Nuetah said. “We depend on our farmers to feed our nation,” he added. Dr. Nuetah further disclosed that government has targeted fifty thousand hectares nationwide for rice production. According to him, of the fifty thousand hectares projected for rice production across the county, focus is placed on Nimba, Bong and Lofa to provide more swamp lands for rice production. He clarified that other counties will also contribute meaningfully to lowland rice production, but Nimba, Lofa and Bong Counties are targeted mostly because of their proven records as Liberia’s ” Breadbasket” Counties. Dr.Nuetah also revealed that the building of agriculture mechanization centers in Foya and Voinjama are underway. He indicated that rice seeds will be given to farmers as well as tools, fertilizers and stipends to enhance their work. Minister Nuetah indicated that the seed rice given to farmers takes three months to produce, effectively enabling three harvest a season every year. He said this year, Zorzor District is allotted two hectares, Voinjama District two hundred hectares, Vangoda two hundred hectares, Kolahum District one hundred hectares, Foya District two hundred hectares, LISCO area three hundred hectares and Vahun District fifty hectares, indicating that all targeted locations are swamp lands for rice production. Minister Nuetah met with farmers across Lofa from Worsonga in Foya District, Kolahun District, Vangoda and Voinjama District. Others farming communities visited included Fassawuluzu, Salayea, Zorzor, Beyan Town, Sarkonde in Quardu and other farming areas in the county. By: O’Neill A.R. Philips
