Monrovia – Europe Day, held on 9 May every year, celebrates peace and unity in Europe.
This year the European Union Delegation in Liberia has decided that the annual diplomatic reception to celebrate Europe Day will be organised in tune with the “eat what you grow, grow what you eat” promoted by the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce.
In practice this means that almost all of the ingredients that will be used for the preparation of the food served at the reception have been sourced directly from Liberian farmers.
The chicken for example has been purchased from Ms Anatta of Margibi County, the pork from Ms. Martha Gbanekan of Montserrado County, the cassava from Ms Grace N. Philip of Grand Bassa County and the vegetables from Mr Abraham Gaye of Grand Bassa county and Ms Sam G. Hill of Montserrado County.
There will also be innovative products, such as moringa tea and soup prepared by Mama Morris from FTI Community, Bomi County.
These farmers groups are supported by EU funded projects in agriculture, implemented by BRAC and the Food Security and Livelihood Consortium (ZOA, Action Against Hunger, Welthungerhilfe). Some of them will also be present at the diplomatic reception with their products for display and sampling by the EU guests.
In presenting this initiative, EU Ambassador to Liberia Tiina Intelmann stated that “this is only a small gesture, but we would like to demonstrate that it is possible to develop a commercially viable agriculture in Liberia.
Consuming local products is good for the local economy and for the environment, as they have a much smaller carbon footprint. We hope that the authorities and all our Liberian guests will appreciate this initiative and follow it”. Despite the best efforts of the staff of the EU Delegation, the wines for the event will still have to be sourced from Europe.