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The launch of the six-hectare rice harvest by the Liberia Staple Food Assistance Program Cooperative Society, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, marks more than a ceremonial event it represents a meaningful step toward strengthening Liberia’s fragile food security system and reducing long-standing dependence on imported rice.
Situated in Millsburg Township, rural Montserrado County, the Emergency Rice Production Offensive (EROP) project was established as a rapid-response intervention aimed at increasing domestic rice production. For decades, Liberia has relied heavily on rice imports, leaving communities vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, rising prices, and external market shocks. Against this backdrop, the Millsburg harvest underscores the growing relevance of smallholder-driven, locally led solutions to national food security challenges.
Providing insight into the initiative’s impact, Program Coordinator Mr. Tom Sibley described the harvest as the result of months of effort by farmers who persevered despite limited resources, logistical delays, and unpredictable weather patterns. He noted that prior to support from the Ministry of Agriculture, the cooperative faced significant barriers, including lack of access to farming implements, financial services, and essential inputs making large-scale production nearly impossible.
“This project aims to not only boost rice production but also steadily reduce our reliance on imported food,” Sibley said. “The success of these six hectares shows what local farmers can achieve when given the right support.”
The Millsburg site serves as a real-time model of scalable, community-based agricultural development. With the Ministry providing seed rice, fertilizers, basic tools, and financial assistance, the cooperative was able to demonstrate how targeted public support can enhance productivity in rural communities. The expected yield will contribute to local food availability while generating revenue for reinvestment into future farming cycles an approach that strengthens sustainability rather than dependence.
Montserrado County Agriculture Officer Madam Fatu Canmu described the harvest as a “milestone achievement” for rural smallholders. Her remarks highlighted an important policy direction: the Ministry’s increasing focus on empowering registered cooperatives as engines of local economic growth. She reaffirmed that the government remains committed to supporting these groups, whose collective structure makes it easier to deliver inputs, training, and extension services.
From an impact perspective, the project signals a shift toward diversified and climate-resilient agriculture. Madam Canmu encouraged farmers to expand production beyond rice to include vegetables and cash crops—an approach that can create additional income streams, reduce climate-related risks, and enhance nutritional outcomes for households.
The ceremony, attended by farmers, community leaders, and Ministry officials, demonstrated strong local ownership of the initiative an essential factor for long-term agricultural transformation.
As Liberia continues to confront food insecurity and economic shocks, the EROP Millsburg harvest provides a compelling case for scaling up targeted agricultural investments, strengthening cooperative systems, and prioritizing domestic production. While six hectares alone cannot close Liberia’s rice deficit, it offers a clear, evidence-based direction for future interventions: empower smallholders, provide essential inputs, and build production models that can be replicated across the country.
