[Kolahun, Lofa County, November 29, 2024] – Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has announced the commencement of a $650,000 project to reconstruct the Fagonda River dam in Kolahun District, Lofa County. This landmark initiative is set to establish a state-of-the-art irrigation system to enhance rice production, advancing Liberia’s food security agenda.

The dam will irrigate over 250 acres of government-owned lowlands, with construction fully funded by the Liberian government. The Liberia Qiang Shen Group, a Chinese construction firm, has been contracted to execute the project, which is scheduled to begin in December 2024 and conclude within six months.

Minister Nuetah expressed optimism about the project's transformative potential: “In six months, we anticipate substantial progress, and by this time next year, the Fagonda production fields will boast of a fully operational irrigation system. Cultivating over 200 hectares of lowland will increase rice production and create income opportunities for the local community.”

The initiative will revive a historically significant site previously operated by AGROMECO, a company that spearheaded rice production in the area before the civil war. The reconstruction of the dam emphasizes efforts to restore Lofa County’s standing as Liberia’s agricultural powerhouse. “This project will enable Fagonda to produce rice for both Lofa County and Liberia as a whole, taking us closer to reestablishing Lofa as the nation’s ‘food basket,’” Dr. Nuetah added.

The project aligns with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s “Liberians, Feed Yourselves Agenda,” a strategic policy to reduce the nation’s reliance on food imports. Minister Nuetah also highlighted ongoing partnerships with international stakeholders, such as the European Investment Bank, which is supporting a €34 million initiative to rebuild and expand Liberia’s dam infrastructure.

Additionally, Dr. Nuetah praised the private sector's role in complementing government efforts toward self-sufficiency, citing businessman John Selma’s significant contributions to rice production in Lofa County. “This project is a source of national pride. With over 5,000 hectares of rice cultivated this year and plans to expand to the target of 50,000 hectares under the National Agriculture Development Plan, we are steadfast in our mission to achieve food self-sufficiency,” he said.

This milestone exemplifies the government’s unwavering dedication to sustainable agricultural development and sets a promising trajectory for Liberia’s farmers, economy, and food security