[Salayea District, Lofa County, March 4, 2025] – In a continued push to mobilize farmers and boost domestic food production, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has called on young Liberians to take the lead in transforming the country’s farming sector, emphasizing that the future of our food security depends on their active involvement in agriculture.
Speaking in Salayea at the start of his four-day visit to Lofa County, Dr. Nuetah underscored the vital role of young people in agriculture and announced plans to set up a mechanization center in the district. The center will be equipped with tractors, power tillers, and other farming machinery to ease the burden of manual labor and encourage greater youth participation in agriculture.
"The future of this country’s farming system is in the hands of young people. If they do not take interest in farming, our system will perish, with no one to replace the older generation. This is why we are bringing in farming machines—to make agriculture easier and more attractive for young people and women, in line with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s vision," he stated.
He also announced ongoing discussions with the Ministers of Youth and Sports and Gender in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a special program to support young people in starting and building lasting agriculture careers. 
The Agriculture Minister’s mission to Lofa County was also to launch the 2025 Crop Production Season, which focuses heavily on rice cultivation. As part of the government’s plan to make Liberia 70% self-sufficient in rice production within five years, efforts are being made to cultivate 6,500 hectares of lowland rice this year.
"For our production season, we want to focus on the three counties critical to food production in this country – Bong Lofa and Nimba.  These counties are supposed to grow most of the food we eat," he explained.
To ensure the success of the “Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda”, the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with its partners, will support farmers with: Land development (clearing, destumping, and proper land layout, Technical training and on-site support and Fertilizers and high-yielding rice seeds (maturing in three months).
 

The 6,500-hectare rice cultivation target for 2025 has been divided among Liberia’s key agricultural counties: Lofa County – 1,200 hectares (about 18% of the national target), Nimba County – 1,700 hectares, and Bong County – 1,500 hectares. Combined, these allocations account for nearly 70% of this year’s rice production goal.

Beyond rice production, Dr. Nuetah encouraged farmers to explore production and fish farming, promising government support in setting up irrigation systems for year-round production and fingerlings for those wanting to do fish farming.

With strong government backing, Liberia’s agricultural transformation is gaining momentum. The active involvement of young people and women, coupled with modern farming techniques and government incentives, is expected to accelerate food production and reduce the country’s dependence on rice imports.