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Written by Judoemue M. Kollie
The Ministry of Agriculture on Thursday, August 15, 2024, officially launched the 2024 National Agriculture Fair, a significant event aimed at promoting agricultural innovation, boosting local production, and enhancing food security across the nation.
The launch event took place in the conference room of the Ministry situated at the Ministerial Complex in Monrovia. The event brought together key stakeholders from the agricultural sector, government officials, international partners, and local farmers in attendance.
The National Agriculture Fair, an annual event, serves as a platform for farmers, agribusinesses, and agricultural stakeholders to showcase their products, technologies, and innovations. This year’s theme, “Promoting Agriculture for Food Security Nutrition, and Sustainable Development,” underscores the critical role of agriculture in Liberia’s economic growth and the need for sustainable practices to ensure long-term food security.
An annual event, which is expected to take place this year in November and December at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) in Kakata, Margibi County aims to exhibit agricultural products, improve technologies, practices and facilitate stakeholders’ interactions for the exchange of knowledge, information, and experience.
The event will bring together farmers, processors, agro-input dealers, manufacturers, and other members of the agricultural value chain as well as fisheries sectors, academia, researchers, government officials, development partners, and local and international NGOs.
The MOA is authorized to hold an annual agricultural fair to showcase types of machinery, insecticides, fertilizers, and other agricultural products.
However, the fair has been dormant since 2008 but was later reactivated in 2021 by the previous administration of the MOA. It often coincides with the celebration of World Food Day held annually in October.
Launching the event on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, the Deputy Minister for Planning and Development, David Akoi called on all stakeholders to attend the event.
He said that the ministry regards the fair as important to showcase the achievements of the sector.
“We want everyone, particularly government officials to be encouraged to attend this event and know the happenings of the sector,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, the Assistant Minister for Regional Development Research and Extension, Edward Perry, provided the historical background of the fair, stating that the first fair in Liberia was held in 1956.
He said that since then the event has not been active until 2021, when the Ministry had it revamped.
Minister Perry mentioned that this year’s fair will create awareness and educate stakeholders about the challenges and successes of farmers and other actors.
Meanwhile, the head of the Liberia Agriculture Value Chain Actors, Joseph Morris has appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to include the Green Day planning activity for the pending agriculture fair.
He said that before the coming of the new government, actors of the sector had planned the fair but wasn’t held due to some unavoidable circumstances.
“We are appealing to the Ministry to incorporate the plan of the Green Day fair for the coming event. There are a lot of farmers who did register to participate in the fair,” he said.
The 2024 National Agriculture Fair is expected to attract thousands of participants, including international guests and investors, further highlighting Liberia’s potential as a key player in regional agriculture.
