Monrovia: Wednesday, March 27, 2024: The Ministry of Agriculture Holds Talk with the European Union Delegation (EU) in Liberia and Africa Rice Center

On March 27, 2024, a high-profile European Union delegation, accompanied by representatives of the Africa Rice Center, convened for a passionate discussion with the Ministry of Agriculture in Congo Town, Monrovia.

The European Union Delegation (EU) and Africa Rice – Liberia unveiled the EuropeAid/Direct grant project known as "Building Resilient Seed Systems for Rice, cassava, cowpea, cocoa, and Fish Value Chains to strengthen food and economic diversification in Liberia (SEEDS4LIBERIA)."

Under the ambit of the Liberia National Rice Development Strategy II, the objective is to augment rice production to 1.3 million MT by 2030, principally through the expansion of rice farming and the rice private sector.

Dr. Sali A. Ndindeng, Principal Scientist & Rice Sector Development Program Leader at Africa Rice Center, methodically outlined a comprehensive four-year sectorial agriculture plan to the ministry. This plan is centered on fostering the production of quality seeds for rice, cassava, maize, cocoa, and coffee, as well as fisheries, and aquaculture, targeting approximately 76,000 beneficiaries.

Moreover, to ensure the sustainability of the seed production program, capacity-building initiatives are envisaged, including the training of a total of 60 staff members from various pertinent institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NAFAA), and the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI).

Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, the Agriculture Minister, expressed gratitude towards the European Union Delegation (EU) in Liberia and Africa Rice – Liberia for their proactive approach in bolstering Liberia's seed development system. He emphasized the importance of aligning the project's implementation with targeted yield goals while urging a focus on the tangible benefits it would bring to farmers and the nation at large.

Dr. Inoussa Akintayo of Africa Rice, Liberia, expressed appreciation to Minister Nuetah and team for the audience, assuring him of the project's commitment to working with existing farmers who have prepared land, thereby ensuring practical outcomes.

Key initiatives outlined during the meeting included plans to train 25 students from public and private educational institutions, facilitate 25 private companies in establishing business-to-business contracts within seed value chains, and directly benefit 76,000 individuals within targeted value chains.

The meeting concluded with a resounding acknowledgment of the project's significance in propelling Liberia towards agricultural sustainability and socio-economic prosperity, summarized by hashtags: #FromProductivityToProduct, #LinkingPeersToPeers (P2P), and #SeedSystemsStrengthened.