Ganta, Nimba County – February 2025 – In alignment with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s vision to achieve 70% rice self-sufficiency over the next five years, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has launched a nationwide farmer mobilization campaign to expand lowland rice cultivation by an additional 6,500 hectares.

This initiative is a key pillar of President Boakai’s Liberians, Feed Yourselves Agenda, a National Agriculture Development Plan designed to boost the productivity of Liberia’s major crops, with rice—the country’s staple food—being the top priority. Currently, Liberia imports approximately 70% of its rice, which is a dependency the government is determined to reverse.

"Even though rice is the most critical commodity we consume, the disappointment on our part is that we import about 70% of it," Dr. Nuetah told a large group of enthusiastic farmers in Gahplay, Twan River District, where he kicked off his visit. "The President has made it his administration's mission to ensure that Liberians grow the rice we eat." 

The Minister emphasized the need to transition from traditional upland farming to lowland rice production, which is more sustainable and productive. He also highlighted the economic potential of rice farming, stating:

"If you develop 100 hectares of lowlands for rice production and use a variety that matures every three months, you can achieve at least three harvests yearly. If each harvest yields ten metric tons, farmers' income is significant. This initiative is about self-sufficiency, prosperity, and national growth."

To achieve the target of cultivating 6,500 additional hectares of lowland rice, Dr. Nuetah has embarked on a farmer mobilization campaign, starting in Nimba County—the largest food-producing county in Liberia.

"The President is committed to supporting our farmers. I am here in Nimba today to launch the 2025 crop production season. This year, we are focusing on rice, and we plan to cultivate an additional 6,500 hectares of lowland rice across the 15 counties, with Nimba alone accounting for 1,600 hectares," Dr. Nuetah announced. 

The initiative will begin with three key agricultural counties—Lofa, Bong, and Nimba—before expanding nationwide. The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with its international partners, will support farmers in fully developing the land (clearing, destumping, and proper land layout). Farmers will also receive technical support, mechanized farming tools, irrigation systems, and high-yielding rice seeds that mature in three months to maximize productivity.

"The message is clear: Liberians, we need to go back to the soil and grow more rice. I want Nimba to be the first county to stop selling imported rice in their shops. We want to see people selling locally produced rice with their brands in stores in Ganta and Sanniquellie. That is what the President wants to see. This is not just about food security; it is about economic empowerment, job creation, and national pride," Dr. Nuetah concluded.

The Ministry of Agriculture remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving food self-sufficiency and ensuring that Liberia becomes a leading rice producer in the region. This effort represents a crucial step toward a brighter and more secure future for all Liberians.