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Nathan Kollie
SUAKOKO, Bong County — A research officer at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) has unveiled new findings that could help increase Liberia’s domestic rice production and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imports.
Mrs. Zipporah Page, Research Officer for the Crops Program at CARI, presented the findings over the weekend during a seminar held at the institute’s research center. The event brought together farmers, scientists, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
In her presentation, Mrs. Page said rice remains central to Liberia’s food security, but national production continues to lag behind demand. She noted that in 2003 Liberia cultivated about 251,230 hectares of rice, yet average yields stood at only 1.8 tons per hectare—well below the regional average of about 5 tons per hectare recorded by neighboring countries.
To address the gap, Mrs. Page recommended a shift from subsistence-based farming toward more market-oriented production, supported by science-driven agricultural practices.
She explained that ratoon rice production offers a viable option for improving productivity and sustainability. Ratoon rice is produced by harvesting the main crop and allowing the remaining stubble to regenerate for a second harvest within the same season.
According to Mrs. Page, the system offers several advantages, including lower production costs, reduced labor requirements, decreased seed use, improved water management, and environmental benefits.
The study, conducted between September 2024 and May 2025 at CARI’s experimental site in Suakoko, assessed the ratoon potential of several globe rice varieties commonly grown in Liberia. She said the main crop was harvested at about 80 percent maturity to promote vigorous regrowth, while 0.5 kilogram of urea was applied to stimulate ratoon tillering.
Mrs. Page said the findings underscore the need for Liberia to adopt improved rice production technologies as part of a broader strategy to strengthen food security and enhance farmer incomes.
