By: Wilmot Konah/+231555666441/0775793638/[email protected]
The Ministry of Agriculture recently announced the arrival of an eight-member technical team from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to Liberia. The team is in the country to finalize plans for the €34 million Liberia Rice Value Chain Development Project, a transformative initiative designed to boost rice production in Lofa, Nimba, and Bong counties.
The project is being funded through a €30 million European Investment Bank (EIB) loan and a €4 million grant from the European Union, which will boost rice production, improve processing, and enhance market access in Lofa, Nimba, and Bong Counties.
The release highlights the key focus of the Liberia Rice Value Chain project as: “Irrigation schemes to enhance cultivation, Feeder road rehabilitation for better market access, Modern rice milling facilities to increase value addition and Cultivating 4,500 hectares of rice.
Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah highlighted the project’s alignment with Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Policy (NADP), emphasizing its potential to unlock the country’s agricultural capabilities, enhance food security, and stimulate economic growth.
The project underscores the importance of collaboration between the government, international partners, and local stakeholders in addressing Liberia’s food security challenges and reducing rice import dependency.