By Grace Bryant Mollay
The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has officially re-launched the historic Fangonda Rice Dam in Kolahun District, Lofa County, signaling a bold step toward national food self-sufficiency and agricultural revival.
Deputy Government Spokesperson, Daniel Sando, at Ministry’s regular press briefing, confirmed that the US$650,000 rehabilitation project fully funded and completed by the Liberian government was unveiled on June 14, 2025, and is set to support year-round rice production across more than 250 acres of lowland.
The relaunch marks a major milestone under the “Liberians Feed Yourselves” national agenda, a flagship initiative introduced last year to cut Liberia’s rice imports by 70% by the year 2030.
“This dam is not just a restoration of infrastructure, it’s the restoration of our pride, our agricultural heritage, and our fight against food insecurity. It will provide sustainable livelihoods for farmers and help reduce the nation’s dependency on imported rice,” said Sando.
The Fangonda Dam was originally constructed in the 1960s through a joint venture between the Liberian Government and a private agricultural entity known as AGROMECO.
It was a key tool in promoting domestic rice production. However, the dam became inactive during the civil unrest of the 1990s and remained dormant for decades until this recent government-backed revitalization.
According to him, the relaunch is more than symbolicit is strategic. Agriculture remains a critical pillar of the Liberian economy, and rice is a staple food.
He further explained that the restored dam will enhance irrigation systems, improve rice yields, and empower local farming cooperatives in the region.
In a related development highlighting Liberia’s broader economy , Minister Sando disclosed that the Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Ngafuan and European Union Ambassador Nona Deprez signed a €25 million grant agreement over the weekend to strengthen value chains in the cassava, fishery, and wood processing sectors.
The project is designed to boost local industries, promote exports, and reduce reliance on imports, with a strong focus on empowering women, youth, and small- to medium-sized enterprises.
Meanwhile, Sando said Liberia’s Vice President continues an official visit to China, where she is leading a high-level delegation on a fact-finding mission to assess the capacity of heavy-duty equipment manufacturers.
He noted that the goal is to ensure that any procurement of road construction machinery meets national standards for value, durability, and suitability for Liberian terrain.
He added that the trip includes representatives from the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), the General Services Agency (GSA), and the Ministry of Public Works to ensure transparency and compliance with national procurement laws.
