Kakata City, Margibi County – Agriculture Minister J. Alexander Nuetah has called for a collective approach to tackle the barriers hindering agricultural development in Liberia.
Speaking on Thursday, December 5, at the National Agriculture FARE-2024 Farmers Conference held at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) Auditorium, Dr. Nuetah emphasized the critical role of agriculture in ensuring food security, nutrition, and sustainability.
Addressing participants under the theme “Promoting Agriculture for Food Security, Nutrition, and Sustainability,” Minister Nuetah highlighted agriculture’s importance to Liberia’s economic and social development.
He acknowledged the sector’s challenges, including limited resources, climate change, and market constraints, but stressed that these obstacles could be transformed into opportunities for growth and progress.
“Despite the challenges, farmers continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience, dedication, and perseverance,” the Minister remarked.
Minister Nuetah also recognized the vital contribution of women, who make up about 65% of active participants in rural agriculture. He described them as the sector’s backbone and emphasized the government’s commitment under President Joseph Boakai’s leadership to provide them with adequate support.
“It is the vision of the President that we will strengthen farmers, communities, and the nation as a whole,” Dr. Nuetah affirmed.
The Minister underscored the importance of modernization in agriculture, emphasizing access to improved technology and infrastructure as essential tools for development. He announced the establishment of Mechanization Centers in five counties—Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Margibi, and Montserrado.
These centers aim to provide farmers access to machinery, processing facilities, and other resources to streamline operations.
“We want to see farmers harvesting and processing their produce at these centers to meet the demands of larger markets,” the Minister noted.
Dr. Nuetah described the conference as a significant milestone in creating a unified agricultural community prioritizing food security and economic sustainability. He expressed optimism that shared values and collective efforts would transform the sector into the backbone of Liberia’s economy and a beacon of hope for food sustainability.
The Minister concluded with a tribute to farmers, describing them as the cornerstone of Liberia’s food security and economic resilience. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to empowering farmers and fully realizing the nation’s agricultural potential.
“The theme of this year’s FARE reminds us that agriculture is pivotal to the nation’s wellbeing and a powerful mechanism for feeding citizens and empowering communities,” he stated.
