Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai launches the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), a transformative six-year policy initiative to revitalize Liberia’s agricultural sector and secure food self-sufficiency amidst global climate and economic challenges.
The President emphasized the critical importance of food security for Liberia, stating, “As we navigate the lanes of these challenging times of climate change and economic crises undermining human civilization across the globe, ensuring food security for our people is paramount.” The NADP, he noted, is not merely a plan but a “game changer” that promises to lead Liberia toward a more secure and sustainable future.
Agriculture, the backbone of Liberia’s economy, is poised for a major overhaul. “The NADP is a policy framework intended to harness our vast agricultural potential and shepherd us from a world of want to a world of abundance to reduce our over-reliance on food importation,” President Boakai declared. Despite Liberia’s rich arable land suitable for rice cultivation, the nation imports 70% of its rice, a situation the President described as unsustainable.
To reverse this trend, the NADP will focus on strategic investments in agricultural infrastructure, technology, and research. “The NADP brings a paradigm shift in food production from traditional subsistence farming to large-scale, sustainable, mechanized agriculture,” President Boakai explained. Key components of the plan include training farmers in modern agricultural technologies and empowering them to undertake large-scale cooperative farms. This, he believes, will transform agriculture into a “smart, lucrative business” that will attract all Liberians, especially the youth.
The President pledged his unwavering commitment to this initiative, stating, “I promise to deploy the needed political will to motivate all of us to embark on this make-or-break agricultural journey.” The NADP will provide farmers with essential resources, including farmlands, modern technology, and improved seeds, enabling them to engage in large-scale farming and produce food to feed the nation. Additionally, the plan aims to boost the production of cash crops for export, which will help revive Liberia’s economy.
In his call to action, President Boakai urged all Liberians, particularly key stakeholders in the agricultural sector—farmers, businesses, researchers, and policymakers—to participate fully in this initiative. “Your participation is crucial; your technological know-how is vital; your investment funds are indispensable; your wholesale commitment is critical for us to embark on this journey together to meet these targets,” he said.
Highlighting the broader societal benefits of a thriving agricultural sector, the President painted a vision of a prosperous Liberia: “When agriculture flourishes in Liberia, the entire Liberian nation flourishes. No one goes to bed on an empty stomach; no child is malnourished; no child goes to school hungry; more jobs are created; poverty diminishes, crime goes down, peace reigns; the Lone Star shines, and we all, with one accord, celebrate the glittering joy and happiness in the bright shining Lone Star.”
President Boakai concluded his speech with a resounding call to embrace this agricultural revolution and work collectively toward a brighter future for Liberia. “Let’s all embrace the call to revolutionize our agriculture and live it,” he urged.
With the launch of the NADP, Liberia stands at the threshold of a new era in agriculture, one that promises to bring prosperity, food security, and economic stability to the nation.
