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By MOA Communication Team
Liberia has reached a major milestone in its journey toward food security and agricultural transformation. Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah officially launched over 300 acres of lowland rice harvest in Gbedin, Nimba County, marking a major achievement in the nation’s efforts to enhance local food production and reduce dependence on rice imports.
Gbedin, historically known for producing certified seed rice since the 1960s, is home to a modern irrigation dam developed under the Ministry of Agriculture’s Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) supported by the World Bank. Constructed by Gbedin Agro Business Incorporated, the dam supports 410 acres (160 hectares) of land dedicated to seed and paddy rice production. This initiative paves the way for sustainable farming and improved food security in Liberia by utilizing high-yield rice varieties and innovative farming technologies.
Addressing government officials, agricultural cooperatives, and local farmers at the program, Dr. Nuetah stated, “Today, we are harvesting 122 hectares with an anticipated yield of 600 metric tons of rice — a landmark step in reducing our reliance on imported rice. This achievement reflects the president’s vision for a self-sufficient agricultural sector. By embracing mechanization and empowering our hardworking farmers, we are building a resilient farming industry that secures livelihoods and strengthens national food security.”
The Agriculture Minister also demonstrated the efficiency of modern farming technology by operating a combine harvester that harvested and threshed three bags of rice in ten minutes. “This is the kind of agriculture we envision for Liberia: mechanized, inclusive, and efficient. Mechanization reduces labor, particularly for women, and makes farming more appealing and productive,” he emphasized.
Dr. Nuetah underscored the importance of transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. “We have identified Gbedin rice as one of the brands that will hit the market in January. This rice must be processed, bagged, and placed on the market. It’s about time farmers see farming as a business,” he remarked.
In his commitment to restoring Gbedin to its pre-war status as a rice production hub and beyond, Dr. Nuetah announced plans to construct a second irrigation dam, establish a modern warehouse to improve storage capacity, and expand mechanization services, including affordable access to farming equipment like tractors and power tillers among others.
The CEO of Gbedin Agro Business Incorporated, Samuel Brown, expressed gratitude for the government’s support: “I want to thank the Ministry of Agriculture for this successful project. We are even ready to develop an additional 200 hectares and hope for continued support with irrigation. Gbedin is prepared to play a major role in reducing rice imports for Liberia.”
The initiative integrates government support, technical training for farmers, and climate-smart agricultural practices, creating sustainable and profitable farming opportunities for rural communities.
The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to replicating the success of the Gbedin project across the country, aiming to expand rice cultivation and promote sustainable farming practices to achieve nationwide food security.
