[Monrovia, Liberia – November 25, 2024] An eight-member technical team from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy, has concluded a one-day working session with the Ministry of Agriculture to finalize plans for the €34 million Liberia Rice Value Chain Development Project. This transformative initiative will strengthen Liberia’s rice sector and address critical challenges along the value chain.

Speaking on behalf of the FAO delegation, Mr. Tommaso Alacevich stated that the team’s two-week mission aims to ensure the project aligns with Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan, which seeks to unlock the nation’s agricultural potential, improve food security, and drive economic growth through targeted agricultural value chains, with a particular focus on rice.

“We are here to fine-tune the project concept and to have an initial briefing with the Minister of Agriculture to align with his vision and secure the necessary guidance to design this initiative,” Mr. Alacevich explained.

The Liberia Rice Value Chain Development Project is funded through a €30 million European Investment Bank (EIB) loan to the Government of Liberia, complemented by a €4 million grant from the European Union. It encompasses three key components: production, value addition, and creating an enabling environment for the rice value chain.

Lofa, Nimba, and Bong counties have been identified for project’s implementation, with selected sites benefitting from targeted interventions such as the rehabilitation and construction of irrigation schemes, reconstruction and rehabilitation of feeder roads to enhance access to markets, and establishment of modern rice milling and processing facilities. These initiatives are expected to develop about 4,500 hectares of rice cultivation, significantly increasing production and strengthening the value chain infrastructure.

Discussions centered on technical aspects of project design and implementation, including its structure and alignment with national program priorities.

Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Agriculture, thanked the FAO delegation for their support and collaboration. He stressed the importance of ensuring the project aligns with the NADP to maximize its impact on Liberia’s agricultural sector.

This partnership highlights Liberia’s commitment to advancing its rice value chain while leveraging international support for sustainable agricultural development.