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By Thomas West/ 0888972432/0775084260/[email protected]
Liberia Agriculture Minister, Alexander Nuetah has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct the first state-of-the-art cassava starch factory in Margibi County. This new initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural value chain, create employment opportunities, and improve local economic conditions in the region.
The cassava starch factory is expected to play a key role in enhancing the country’s agricultural productivity, especially for smallholder farmers. By tapping into the potential of cassava, one of Liberia’s most widely grown crops, the factory will provide farmers with a consistent and reliable market for their produce, while also promoting food security and industrialization.
The Agriculture Minister speaking to farmers at the recent National Agriculture Fair in Kakata, Margibi County emphasized that the factory would not only provide local farmers with a steady income but also introduce value-added processing to cassava, thus contributing to economic diversification and reduce Liberia’s dependence on imported starch products.
The project, which is expected to commence in 2025, will involve both local and international partnerships. It is projected to create hundreds of jobs in the construction and operation phases, directly benefiting residents of Margibi County and the broader Liberian community. The Ministry of Agriculture has also pledged to offer technical support and training programs to help smallholder farmers improve their production methods and meet the factory’s requirements.
“The construction of this cassava starch factory will provide a major boost to our agricultural sector, and we are confident it will contribute significantly to our economic growth and food security goals,” the Minister said. “This initiative is part of our broader efforts to promote agriculture as a key driver of Liberia’s economic development.”
The Minister also urged the private sector and development partners to support the project, noting that collaboration is crucial to ensuring its success.
The cassava starch factory is seen as a promising development for the Liberian economy, which is currently focused on enhancing its agriculture and industrial sectors. The project is in line with the government’s broader agenda to modernize agriculture, improve livelihoods for rural farmers, and create sustainable economic growth across the country.
As the government works to bring this project to fruition, stakeholders are optimistic about the positive impact it will have on Liberia’s agricultural industry and the communities that depend on it for their livelihoods.
The cassava starch factory will serve as a game-changer for smallholder farmers, offering a reliable market for their produce while enhancing the cassava value chain. Liberia, where cassava is a staple crop, has long relied on raw production with limited industrial processing. The factory aims to shift this paradigm, supporting economic diversification and reducing dependency on imported starch products.
The factory, once operational, is anticipated to increase demand for cassava, encouraging farmers to expand their cultivation. The minister also called on private sector actors to invest in similar ventures to further develop Liberia’s agro-industrial landscape.
Smallholder farmers in Margibi County expressed optimism about the plan, calling for the government to provide technical and financial support to ensure the factory’s sustainability. “This factory could change our lives if we receive the right support,” said one farmer, adding that the initiative could inspire more young people to embrace farming as a profession.
