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By Thomas West, LAEJN Senior Reporter
Monrovia, Liberia – In his annual State of the Nation address, President Joseph Boakai announced the launch of a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing Liberia’s agricultural productivity. The President revealed plans for the construction of five mechanization centers across the country mainly in Bong, Lofa, Margibi, Montserrado, and Nimba. These centers will provide smallholder farmers with access to essential machinery that will significantly improve their farming practices and overall production.
The mechanization centers will offer equipment such as tractors, plows, and other tools that are critical for scaling up agricultural operations, thus enabling farmers to increase crop yields and reduce labor-intensive manual work. The move is part of the government’s broader strategy to bolster the agricultural sector, which remains a vital source of livelihood for many Liberians.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Boakai emphasized the importance of investing in agriculture, calling it a key pillar of Liberia’s economic growth and poverty reduction strategy. He highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring that they have the resources necessary to succeed in today’s competitive agricultural landscape.
“The establishment of these mechanization centers is a major step in transforming our agricultural sector. By providing farmers with the tools they need, we are fostering sustainable growth and ensuring that Liberians can enjoy the benefits of increased agricultural productivity,” said President Boakai.
The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from local farmers, who have long advocated for improved access to machinery that would increase efficiency and productivity. Many smallholder farmers in Liberia face significant challenges, including limited access to modern farming tools, which hinders their ability to maximize their land’s potential.
The mechanization centers are expected to not only boost agricultural output but also create jobs, improve food security, and contribute to the overall development of rural areas. The government is calling on the private sector and international partners to join in supporting this important initiative.
With this new program, President Boakai is sending a strong message about his administration’s focus on the agricultural sector as a key driver of national development. As Liberia continues to recover and rebuild from past challenges, investments in agriculture are seen as vital to ensuring long-term stability and prosperity.
Aligns with African Union Call
At the recent African Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) held in Kampala, Uganda, the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat made a bold call for the traditional hoe to be retired to museums, emphasizing the urgent need for mechanized farming across the continent.
In his address, the chairperson underscored that Africa’s reliance on manual farming tools, such as the hoe, continues to hinder agricultural productivity and economic growth. He stressed that in an era of technological advancements, it is time for African nations to fully embrace modern agricultural machinery to enhance food production, ensure food security, and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
“The hoe has served its purpose, but it should now belong in museums. Our farmers deserve better tools to increase productivity and compete on a global scale. It is time for Africa to move beyond subsistence farming and invest in mechanization,” he stated.
The call for mechanization aligns with the CAADP’s broader goal of transforming Africa’s agricultural sector by promoting investments in modern farming techniques, irrigation systems, and agro-processing industries. Many African nations continue to struggle with low agricultural output due to outdated farming methods, limited access to mechanized tools, and inadequate infrastructure.
The remarks received strong support from agricultural stakeholders, policymakers, and development partners present at the summit, many of whom echoed the need for governments to prioritize policies that facilitate farmers’ access to tractors, harvesters, and other advanced farming equipment.
The summit also highlighted successful case studies from countries that have made significant progress in mechanization, showing how investments in modern tools have led to increased crop yields and economic growth. Experts at the event urged African governments to establish public-private partnerships and mobilize resources to ensure farmers, particularly smallholders, can afford and access mechanized solutions.
As Africa works toward achieving food self-sufficiency and agricultural transformation, the call to retire the hoe symbolizes a broader shift towards modernization, efficiency, and economic empowerment for millions of farmers across the continent.
