Lofa County – Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture Dr. Mogana Flomo, Jr has urged Liberians to take farming seriously if Liberia is to become self-sufficient. Minister Flomo was speaking in Foya Friday, November 2,
Since Minister took over the helm of the ministry, he has toured all of Liberia’s 15 counties motivating farmers and Liberians to invest in the soil.
The 200 acres of upland is meant to foster government’s efforts in Public Private Partnership to make Liberia self sufficient in food production and also create job opportunities for Liberians, according to Minister Flomo.
Minister Flomo said agriculture remains an integral component in improving the economy and as such Liberians must invest in the soil.
‘It is time Liberians prioritize the soil. For too long we have depended on people to feed us something that is not a good news for Liberia. We need to change our mentality and get back to the soil,’ Minister Flomo said.
Minister Flomo believes Liberians have the strength and ability to make Liberia food secured. ‘What we need to do is to organize the relevant resources in a committed and transparent manner to benefit the farmers,’ he said.
Minister Flomo said his quest to make Liberia food secured stems from the vision of President George Weah embedded in the government’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity that was launched in Ganta, Nimba County recently.
He disclosed that the government of Liberia under President George Weah has committed itself to providing an initial amount of $ 1,995,000 (One million nine ninety five thousand United States dollars) towards the Public Sector Investment Project (PSIP) for rice value chain that will target public private partners, cooperatives and local farmers.
Minister Flomo that move is meant to enhance the capacity of agriculture partners to produce more food and job opportunities for Liberians.
The launch of the 200 acres of upland farm came as a result of a nationwide tour by Minister Flomo to Foya in May 2018. During the tour, Minister Flomo encouraged farmers to demonstrate their commitment for farming by producing more food in order to make the government’s dream of making Liberia self-sufficient a reality.
Minister Flomo used the occasion to laud partners including Africa Rice, CNFA/LADA, USADF, World Bank, FAO and African Development Bank and others for helping to foster the government’s agenda for the agriculture sector.
The Japanese Government through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) provided monetary support to the Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the GOL to cater to rice farmers in five counties.
The Japanese government through the Ministry of Agriculture is funding the construction of a warehouse in Foya, Lofa County. The warehouse will the processing machine for rice value chain while CNFA – a USAID non-governmental organization – is in a cost share with AIIC for the rice processing machine that will be stored in the warehouse for the rice value chain.
Speaking at the program the executive director of AIIC, Mohammed Kamara, lauded President George Weah for making agriculture the second component for his government’s Pro Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity.
He said move is a clear indication that President Weah wants to move Liberia forward through agriculture. ‘Our president has shown that he wants to transform the agriculture sector and we as farmers are impressed with his decision to make agriculture the second component of the Pro Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity.
Kamara also lauded President Weah for appointing Minister Flomo as Agriculture minister. According to him, for the past eight months Dr. Flomo has left the comfort of his office and toured the 15 counties in Liberia to understand the plights and challenges of farmers to find a remedy.
Kamara said the cultivation of the 200 acres of upland came as the result of motivation given them by Minister Flomo during his tour in Foya.
He said his initiative has given the employment opportunities to over 100 Liberians in and out Lofa County. He is however recommending to the government of Liberia to strengthen the Extension Services of
of Liberian farmers.
Also speaking, the Chief of Party of USAID CNFA/LADA, Harris Ayuk-Takor lauded Minister Flomo the Ministry of Agriculture which he said is key to the growth and development of the agriculture sector. He said urged the government to provide farmers access to finance to enable them enhance their farming capacity.
In remarks, USADF representative at the program said he was happy to hear that the government has provided one million nine hundred ninety five thousand United States dollars in the national budget for PSIP to provide rice value chain to farmers.
He said his organization is also contemplating on providing similar amount to help boost government’s agenda in improving the warfare for his innovation in making Liberian farmers utilize their potentials though the Public Private Partnership. He promised his organization’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Agriculture in achieving the goals of the government.
Friday’s program was attended by scores of dignitaries from Lofa County including the Assistant Superintendent of Development, Foya Statutory Superintendent and traditional leaders.