[Monrovia, Liberia, March 21, 2025]  – As part of the government's ongoing efforts to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors in making Liberia self-sufficient in food production, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has visited a US $30 million rice processing facility under construction in Monrovia. The facility, being constructed by the Supplying West Africa Trader Inc. (SWAT), will play a key role in the country's rice value chain by improving the processing, packaging, and market availability of locally grown rice.

Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, accompanied by the Chairperson of the Rice Committee established by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to enhance domestic rice production and reduce reliance on imports, Chairman Ambassador Charles Minor, highlighted the importance of the visit.

"We are exploring ways to collaborate with SWAT to ensure that locally produced Liberian rice can be brought to the market," Dr. Nuetah stated. "Our plan is to work with them as a private sector partner to scale up value addition for locally grown rice, making it more competitive while also exploring export opportunities."

When completed, the new facility will polish, package, and market locally grown rice, making it more attractive to consumers. 

Dr. Nuetah emphasized the importance of situating the processing center closer to farming communities, ensuring efficiency in the supply chain."We want them to establish the processing center in agricultural regions, buy paddy rice directly from local farmers, process it there, and then transport the finished rice to the city for packaging and distribution."

The Agriculture Minister highlighted the critical role of smallholder farmers in the rice value chain, noting that the new factory will serve as a key market outlet for their produce.

"When this factory is constructed, it will create new opportunities for farmers engaged in rice production. The government firmly believes that producers should focus on growing rice, while private investors take charge of processing and marketing. This approach will assure farmers that their produce will have a ready market, encouraging higher production levels."

He further urged private sector actors to play a more active role in strengthening the rice industry, noting that market access is vital for sustainability.

"We encourage our farmers to continue growing rice because the government is committed to establishing market access through private-sector involvement. We call on genuine private investors to step up and support farmers by serving as off-takers of their produce. By the end of this year, we expect to see tangible progress in this effort."

The Chairman of the Rice Committee, Charles Minor, commended SWAT for its major investment in Liberia's rice sector.

"I want to thank SWAT, one of the major rice importers, for its commitment to supporting domestic rice production. Public-private partnerships are essential for economic growth, and with the kind of investment SWAT is making—over $30 million—this initiative will significantly enhance Liberia’s food security and economic development."

Liberia currently imports approximately 300,000 metric tons of rice annually, costing the country around $200 million. In response to this, the government has launched the 'Liberians Feed Yourselves' agenda, a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing rice imports by 70% over the next five years. This initiative involves a range of strategies, including public-private partnerships and investment in local rice production.

The collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and private-sector players like SWAT marks a significant step in achieving this goal, ensuring that Liberian-grown rice becomes a staple in local markets while creating export potential.