By Grace Q. Bryant
The Ministry of Agriculture is proposing a budget of $50 million for the 2025 fiscal year to implement its National Agricultural Plan aimed at revitalizing Liberia’s agricultural sector.
The announcement was made during the Ministry of Information regular press briefing in Monrovia on October 8, where Agriculture Minister J. Alexander Nuetah detailed the ministry’s ambitious plans.
Minister Nuetah disclosed that the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has formally presented its budget proposal to the 55th Legislature, urging lawmakers to support the funding.
He emphasized that the requested budget is essential to ensuring the successful implementation of the ministry’s strategies to transform agriculture across the nation.
In that budget, we want to have $50 million for agriculture. We’ve written all of the lawmakers, the House of Representatives, the House of Senate, all of the 30 senators, we’ve written them letters telling them the need to support agriculture. We’ve told them how much is needed to be able to do an additional 10,000 hectares of them for rice production next year. We want to be able to support a generation of modern farmers. So, we have our PSRP submitted to the Ministry of Finance.
According to Minister Nuetah, “If the requested $50 million budget is approved, it will enable the MOA to cultivate 50,000 hectares of agricultural produce, with a particular focus on increasing rice production,”
He stressed that rice, being a staple food in Liberia, must receive significant attention to reduce the country’s dependency on imported rice.
Meanwhile, the Minister highlighted that one of the main objectives of the National Agricultural Plan is to empower local farmers.
He noted that the Ministry is already supporting numerous local rice farmers across various counties, providing them with the necessary tools, training, and resources to enhance their productivity.
“The empowerment of local farmers is at the heart of our strategy. We believe that by equipping farmers with the right resources and knowledge, we can significantly increase rice production and improve the livelihoods of countless Liberian families,” he said.
Dr. Nuetah also pointed out that the MoA’s focus on local rice farming aligns with the government’s broader goal of achieving food security and economic self-reliance. By investing in agriculture, he believes the country can reduce its reliance on food imports and create more job opportunities within rural communities.
The Minister further explained that the proposed budget will also cover research and development in new agricultural technologies, to modernize farming practices in Liberia. This includes the introduction of innovative techniques and sustainable farming methods to increase crop yields and reduce environmental impacts.
Additionally, Minister Nuetah has urged the lawmakers to view the proposed budget as an investment in the nation’s future.
He highlighted that agriculture remains a key pillar of Liberia’s economy and that a robust agricultural sector is vital for sustainable economic growth.
