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The Panta Pride Foundation, in partnership with Collective Impact United and the Liberian government, through the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), has formalized an agreement to develop a 500-acre lowland rice farming project in Panta District, Bong County.
Panta Pride Foundation will serve as the in-country research and development partner for Collective Impact United.
At the signing ceremony, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, Liberia’s Agriculture Minister, emphasized that the initiative seeks to improve food security, empower women in agriculture, and encourage sustainable economic growth in Liberia.
Dr. Nuetah revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture would contribute $500,000 in resources under the agreement, including $300,000 in direct project funding to assist farm operations.
Additionally, the Ministry will provide over $200,000 worth of in-kind contributions, such as farming equipment including power tillers, harvesters, and irrigation tools, through the establishment of a Mechanization Hub in Panta.
The Minister affirmed that the partnership agreement aligns with Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) and is a national priority. He also stated that the Ministry would provide technical assistance and monitoring through various government agencies under the one-year agreement.
Dr. Nuetah further explained that the partnership agreement between Collective Impact United, Panta Pride Foundation, and the MOA will be evaluated in 2026 to expand the lowland rice project from 500 acres to 5,000 acres by 2029 in Panta, District #4, Bong County.
Speaking to the press in Garmue Town, Panta District, on February 8, 2025, Dr. Nuetah stated that the partnership is part of the Ministry’s ongoing campaign to mobilize farmers and increase lowland rice cultivation by 6,500 hectares nationwide.
“This project is central to the Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda, which aims to enhance the productivity of Liberia’s key crops, particularly rice, the country’s staple food,” said Dr. Nuetah. He noted that Liberia currently imports around 70% of its rice, a situation the government is committed to reversing.
Dr. Nuetah expressed his disappointment that despite rice being a crucial food item in Liberia, the country still imports the majority of it. He also emphasized that the administration of President Boakai and Vice President Koung is focused on making sure Liberians produce the rice they consume.
The Agriculture Minister stressed the importance of shifting from traditional upland farming to lowland rice farming, which he described as more sustainable and productive.
Having just concluded a farmer mobilization tour in Nimba and Bong counties, Dr. Nuetah revealed that during his visit to Nimba, he launched the Season Production 2025 program for Bong, Nimba, and Lofa counties, which aims to achieve the government’s 6,500-hectare cultivation target.
To meet this target, Dr. Nuetah is leading a farmer mobilization effort beginning in the largest food-producing counties: Nimba, Bong, and Lofa.
He added that President Joseph Nyumah Boakai is committed to supporting the farmers to reach this goal.
“This year, we are concentrating on rice production, with Nimba expected to cultivate 1,700 hectares, Bong 1,600 hectares, and Lofa 1,200 hectares,” Dr. Nuetah stated.
Dr. Nuetah explained that the government has decided to start the project in Lofa, Bong, and Nimba before expanding to other regions of Liberia.
He also shared that the Ministry of Agriculture, together with international organizations, will collaborate with selected farming groups to develop the 6,500 hectares of lowland rice.
Funding will be provided for land development (clearing, restumping, and layout), technical support, mechanized farming tools, irrigation systems, and high-yield rice varieties that mature in just three months.
Dr. Nuetah clarified that this initiative is aligned with President Boakai’s vision of achieving 70% rice self-sufficiency within the next five years.
Speaking directly to farmers in Garmu Town, Panta District , Bong County, Dr. Nuetah explained that cultivating 100 hectares of lowland rice with a variety that matures every three months could result in three harvests per year, with each harvest producing 10 metric tons. He stated that such a project would greatly benefit farmers financially and contribute to the nation’s growth.
“This initiative is not only about food security, but also about economic empowerment, job creation, and national pride. The goal is to achieve self-sufficiency, prosperity, and sustainable development,” Dr. Nuetah emphasized, adding, “Liberians, we need to return to the soil and produce more rice! My goal is to see Nimba, Bong, and Lofa as the first counties where imported rice is replaced by locally grown rice.”
This effort is not just about ensuring food security but also focuses on economic empowerment, creating jobs, and instilling national pride. The Ministry of Agriculture remains dedicated to achieving food self-sufficiency and establishing Liberia as a key rice producer in the region.
On the other hand, Quanuquanei Alfred Karmue, Executive Director of Panta Pride and General Manager of Collective Impact United, expressed appreciation to the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture for their partnership.
He stated that the primary goal of the organization is to establish Panta District as a national center of excellence for lowland rice farming, utilizing an Evidence-Based Outcome strategy.
Mr. Karmue pointed out that the framework agreement with Panta Pride Foundation and Collective Impact United will serve as a model for expanding sustainable agricultural practices in Bong County and beyond.
He disclosed that under the one-year agreement, Collective Impact United will contribute $500,000 in international financing. “We will use proven agricultural techniques to implement the project, aiming to increase rice yields, train local farmers, empower women and youth in agriculture, and create a transparent monitoring and evaluation system to ensure accountability,” he said.
Collective Impact United is an investment and holding company that partners with organizations like Panta Pride Foundation to develop comprehensive agricultural commercialization platforms. These platforms are designed to advance sustainable development through research, development, and commercial prototypes, with a focus on precision farming and community-based initiatives.
Panta Pride Foundation, known for its wide-ranging development projects, is currently collaborating with Collective Impact United on large-scale agricultural initiatives in Bong County. These initiatives include rice cultivation, kidney beans farming, and the production of diabetes-friendly rice, alongside rehabilitating crucial farm-to-market roads throughout Panta, Zota, Menquelleh, and other areas.
Explaining the ongoing activities in Panta District, Mr. Karmue noted that these efforts are part of a “collective impact” model, which involves partnerships between foundations and corporations. He explained, “We’ve established a commercial platform that attracts international partners to an area many might overlook. We aim to commercialize farming, starting small but with the long-term goal of expanding globally. We may not be there yet, but we’re already producing something meaningful that could eventually reach markets beyond our borders.”
Mr. Karmue also highlighted that with the support of the government, the people of Panta, Zota and Menquelleh Clan are eager to combat hunger in Liberia.
“We are introducing mechanisms that involve mechanized farming and precision agriculture,” he added. “For instance, once a farm is established on a small scale, we can apply modern techniques to manage larger plots, such as a 24-acre section within a 500-acre farm.”
The focus of this agreement on empowering farmers is one of its most transformative elements.