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By LAJN Network Reporter
As part of a quest to enhance food security and educational outcomes, the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Food Program (WFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bolster the school feeding program in rural Liberia. The agreement aims to ensure that school children in underserved areas receive nutritious meals, thereby improving attendance and academic performance.
The Home-Grown School Feeding program is aimed at improving food and nutrition security and alleviating poverty among rural communities in Liberia will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, through its Smallholder Agriculture Development for Food and Nutrition Security (SADFONS) Project.
The MOU was signed in a ceremony attended by agriculture ministry officials, WFP representatives, and other stakeholders. The collaboration will focus on leveraging local agricultural produce to supply the school feeding program, thereby supporting local farmers and stimulating rural economies.
The Minister of Agriculture Dr. Alexander Nuetah expressed his optimism about the partnership, highlighting its potential to create a sustainable and impactful school feeding initiative. “This MOU represents a commitment to our children’s future and our farmers’ livelihoods. By using locally sourced food, we are not only feeding our students but also empowering our agricultural sector,” she stated.
The program seeking to cater to over 15,000 primary school children from about 100 public and community schools in Bong, Maryland, Montserrado, and Grand Bassa counties is being funded by a Global Agriculture Food and Security Program (GAFSP) of the World Bank Group.
US$ 1.5 million grant as approved by the African Development Bank on 5 June 2024. The program is expected to have significant outcomes, including boosting local agricultural production, improving nutrition among school children across targeted counties, and creating a market for rural farmers to outsource their produce, stimulating local economies and promoting food security.
The initiative aligns with the broader goals of the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), which seeks to enhance food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and improve rural livelihoods. The collaboration with WFP is seen as a crucial component of this strategy, addressing immediate nutritional needs while supporting long-term agricultural development.
Parents and educators in rural communities have welcomed the announcement, expressing hope that the program will bring much-needed relief and support to their children. “This is a blessing for our community. Our children will be able to focus better in class, and we will have more opportunities to sell our produce,” said Mary Johnson, a local farmer and mother of three in Todoee, rural Montserrado County.
As Liberia continues to navigate the challenges of food insecurity and educational access, the Ministry of Agriculture and WFP’s partnership represents a promising step forward. With sustained commitment and collaboration, the school feeding program has the potential to transform the lives of countless children and contribute to the nation’s broader development goals.
