Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By Ishmael Menkor, LAEJN Nimba Coordinator
The Liberia Farmers Development Corporation (LIFADCO), a locally owned agricultural organization operating in Nimba County, has taken major steps to boost domestic rice production as part of efforts to reduce Liberia’s heavy dependence on imported rice.
Liberia continues to spend more than US$200 million annually on rice importation, making rice one of the country’s largest import commodities. However, local producers such as LIFADCO are now increasing production and marketing of locally grown rice to strengthen national food security and support the government’s agricultural development agenda.
In an exclusive interview with the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalist Network, LIFADCO Executive Director, Mr. Boris Barleah, disclosed that the organization has placed 5,000 bags of locally produced rice on the market from its 2025 harvest season, with plans to release an additional 7,000 bags in June.
According to Mr. Barleah, the rice was produced through collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, development partners, and the Kpodoe Farmer Cooperative. He said the initiative reflects practical efforts by Liberian farmers to increase local food production and reduce reliance on imported rice.
“This is Liberia’s own rice, produced right here by Liberian farmers,” Mr. Barleah said. “We are working hard to increase production and make locally produced rice available to consumers across the country.”
He described the rice as high-quality long grain and parboiled rice that is carefully processed and packaged for the local market.
LIFADCO currently works with 137 farming groups across several communities and plans to expand to 360 groups in the coming years. The expansion is expected to significantly increase rice cultivation and create more economic opportunities for rural farmers.
The organization’s rice is being sold in 25-kilogram bags at US$19 retail and US$18 wholesale. Mr. Barleah explained that the price reflects the high cost of local production, processing, packaging, and transportation.
“It costs us about US$17.50 to fully produce one bag,” he explained. “If farmers receive more support in processing equipment, packaging, and mechanization, we will be able to reduce the price and compete more effectively with imported rice.”
Consumers visiting the rice outlet in Ganta welcomed the availability of locally produced rice, describing it as a positive sign for Liberia’s agriculture sector. Some buyers, however, called for lower wholesale prices to enable small businesses and market women to distribute the rice to other parts of the country.
Agriculture experts say increased investment in local rice production remains critical to reducing Liberia’s food import bill, improving rural livelihoods, and building a more resilient agricultural economy.
LIFADCO’s growing production capacity is being viewed as an important example of how local agricultural enterprises can contribute to national food self-sufficiency while supporting government efforts to transform the agriculture sector.
