Monrovia – The Ministry of Agriculture has officially announced the holding of a national agriculture fair aimed at showcasing and promoting the country’s agriculture sector.
Agriculture Minister Jeannie Milly Cooper told reporters in a news conference held on Monday, that the conference, expected to take place in Gbarnga, Bong County, is an annual event required by law.
The last time such a fair was held was in 2007 and 2008.
The national agriculture conference is expected to see a large gathering of agriculture actors in Liberia.
“The fair will see gathering of farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs and enterprises, innovators, agriculture students, development partners, financial institutions and agriculture sector association as well as stakeholders in food and agriculture value chain among others,” Minister Cooper said.
The three days event is expected to be held between February 12-14.
During the event, stakeholders are expected to brainstorm on highlighting agriculture educational and trainings at various levels, showcasing of sector investment and intervention in improving small scales farming.
The event will in the same time create a platform for farmers to showcase their produce, create sector networking and exhibition of Agri-Business products.
Minister Cooper, during the media engagement registered that the conference will further set the tone and tenor on the country’s quest to give Liberians opportunity to improve their lives.
In the same way, she emphasized that the conference will celebrate farmers achievement, highlights non-mainstream agriculture activities and attract investor interest.
She maintained that the symposium is in accordance with President George Manneh Weah declaration of making Liberians no spectator to their own economy.
Madam Cooper also stated; that it is the hope of government, to see Liberians eating their own produce, rather than relying on foreign produce.
“We hope that some of you who can leave our Liberians made rice, saying it has rock in it for imported rice will now eat what we grow,” she stressed.
According to Agriculture Minister, if Liberians begin to promote their own products, it will place citizens who are in the agriculture sector on the path of prosperity and development, as outlined in the Propoor Agenda for Prosperity and Development.
“The National Agriculture Forum is also a platform for government and partners to announce new initiatives, new projects and investments in the sector as well as provide insight on Major policy narratives and decisions,” Cooper averred.
The conference is being organized by a Secretariat composed of agricultural technocrats and officers, under the stewardship of Deputy Agriculture Minister for Administration, Precious Tetteh.
The Ministry of Agriculture said it is planning the event in line with other lines ministries and agencies, to include the Ministry of States for Presidential Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, Cooperative Development Agency along with input from various actors and partners in agriculture.
Meanwhile, Minister Cooper said it is expected, that after the fair, Liberia will improve in food security.
According to her, prioritizing Liberians own products will curtail expenditure made in importing food into the country, which is one focus of the forum.