In a spirited address at the launch event, President Boakai called on Liberians to fully support and embrace this agricultural revolution, envisioning a future where no one goes to bed hungry, and malnutrition and poverty are significantly reduced.
“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,” he declared.
President Boakai emphasized the paramount importance of food security for Liberia acknowledging the global challenges of climate change and economic instability.
He described the NADP as a game-changer, providing a roadmap to a more secure and sustainable future through innovative strategies, modern technologies, and comprehensive investments.
The President highlighted agriculture as the backbone of Liberia’s economy and urged citizens to harness every potential in the sector to bring progress and development and explained how it is a policy framework designed to unlock the country’s vast agricultural potential and reduce its heavy reliance on food imports.
President Boakai pointed out that despite Liberia’s extensive arable land suitable for rice cultivation, the country imports 70% of the rice consumed while criticizing the practice of diverting scarce foreign exchange resources away from critical infrastructure projects and into food imports.
“This unfortunate situation must change, and the change begins with the NADP,” he asserted. “This groundbreaking initiative is designed to support and empower our farmers to increase productivity and efficiency through strategic investments in agricultural infrastructure, technology, and research.”
The NADP aims to shift Liberia’s food production from traditional subsistence farming to large-scale, sustainable, mechanized agriculture and that farmers will receive training in modern agricultural technologies and resources to establish large-scale cooperative farms.
President Boakai emphasized that the plan would make agriculture a smart, lucrative business, particularly attracting the youth.
He reassured farmers and stakeholders of his commitment to provide the necessary resources, including farmlands, modern technology, and improved seeds, to enhance productivity and stimulate the economy through increased food production and cash crop exports.
“We will provide our farmers with the necessary resources to go into big-time farming and produce food to feed our people,” he said. “We will also produce more cash crops for export to resuscitate our ailing economy. This is a call to duty for all Liberians, especially key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.”
The President also stressed the critical role of stakeholders’ participation, technological expertise, investment funds, and commitment to achieving the plan’s targets.
“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,” he urged.
President Boakai concluded by urging Liberians to seize this opportunity to build a resilient and self-reliant agricultural sector, reiterating that when agriculture flourishes in Liberia, the entire nation prospers.
