[Bong County, – February 18, 2025] – The Government of Liberia, under the Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda, has identified Bong County as a key area for large-scale lowland rice cultivation. As part of efforts to meet the 6,500-hectare target for rice expansion this year, Minister of Agriculture Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah visited the county to rally local farmers, encouraging them to take full advantage of Liberia’s abundant natural resources for sustainable food production.

This initiative is a critical step toward achieving President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s vision of making Liberia 70% self-sufficient in rice production within the next five years by developing 50,000 hectares of lowland rice.

"We can feed ourselves by utilizing our resources. We have abundant land, water, and rainfall. There is no reason why Liberians cannot feed themselves," Dr. Nuetah stated. "You make other people rich when you buy their rice. But when you grow the rice here yourselves, the money you would have spent in other countries will instead be used to build better houses, send your children to better schools, and improve your lives.”

Speaking at separate engagements over the weekend, Dr. Nuetah outlined the government’s plan to develop 6,500 hectares of lowland rice this year, with 1,600 hectares specifically allocated for Bong County.  He encouraged farmers to transition from traditional upland rice farming to lowland cultivation, which offers higher yields and sustainability.

"Many farmers in Bong County still practice upland farming, and while we are not discouraging it, we strongly promote lowland farming due to its greater potential. If you are growing one hectare of lowland and one hectare of upland, you will see that the lowland will give you more harvests—up to three per year," he explained.

The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with its projects, will support farmers in fully developing the land (clearing, destumping, and proper land layout). Farmers will also receive technical support, fertilizers, and high-yielding rice seeds that mature in three months to maximize productivity. 

Before expanding nationwide, the initiative will be launched in three key agricultural counties—Lofa, Bong, and Nimba.

Dr. Nuetah assured farmers that through its projects, the government will cover all costs for the first year. However, he emphasized that farmers must take responsibility for reinvesting in subsequent years to ensure long-term sustainability.

Bong County— a leading agricultural hub, often called one of Liberia's “breadbasket” counties —will account for nearly 24% of this year’s rice cultivation target. With strong government support, farmers are encouraged to take full advantage of this initiative to boost local rice production and improve livelihoods. As Liberia pushes forward with its "Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda," the success of this initiative in Bong County will be critical in reducing the country's reliance on rice imports and ensuring long-term food security.