Liberia News: Boakai Pushes Liberia’s Case At FAO 

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has rallied the international community to priority funding for agricultural innovation and sustainable farming practices. 

Serving as Keynote Speaker at the World Food Forum organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Liberian leader noted, “We must prioritize funding for agricultural innovation and sustainable farming practices. By equipping farmers with the right tools, knowledge, and resources, we can increase crop yields and diversify production, ensuring farmers can feed their families and lift themselves out of poverty.”

He said Liberia’s agricultural sector is vital to the country’s economy, accounting for 28.9% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and providing a livelihood for over 68% of our population. Development in food and cash crops, fisheries, and livestock can drive rapid growth in the next few years through sustainable practices and improved inputs. 

He informed world leaders that, “We will focus on food crops, fisheries, and organic cash crops like palm oil and cocoa, which have a positive impact on food security and local commerce.”

Boakai added, “Our vision for sustainable agriculture and food security is simple but ambitious. It requires that we purposefully invest in sustainable value chains that promote agricultural productivity, reduce food loss, enhance processing capabilities, improve market access, and develop inclusive agribusiness models that empower smallholder farmers, women, and youth.”

“Let me make a case for the need for appropriate technology transfer, adaptation and application in agricultural value chains development. The tragedy in our food insecurity lies not in our inability to produce raw agricultural materials but in our inability to transform the highly perishable raw agricultural materials into stable intermediate and tertiary food products that can be traded over time. Hence, the high rate of pre and post-harvest losses of farm output and food shortages,” the Liberian Chief Executive noted.

He noted that the imperative to establish a virile Engineering subsector that will produce the appropriate technological hardware (machinery and equipment) needed to establish the envisaged agricultural and complimentary value chains cannot be overemphasized.

“We call on the international community to join us in the immediate development of this vital Engineering subsector that produces the capital goods so vital in food and consumer goods production.  For Liberia, this is an imperative. We are also starting an Agro-Industrial Development Program, centered on Oil Palm and Cocoa.” 

Boakai noted that this initiative will transform the oleo-products industry into a cornerstone of our economic growth and wealth creation adding, “Our vision encompasses six key objectives: achieving sustained economic growth, establishing new pillars of growth, creating wealth in our rural communities, generating vital foreign exchange, boosting employment opportunities, and attracting foreign direct investments.” 

He said Liberia’s ideal climate equips us to develop a robust oleo-chemicals industry, with an initial focus on oil palm cultivation. Currently according to President Boakai, Liberia faces a significant shortfall of over 40,000 tons of palm oil, and across West Africa, that deficit reaches 1.8 million tons. 

He added, “This program is not just about agriculture; it’s about enhancing our food security and securing a prosperous future for all Liberians. 

Among other things, President Boakai noted that the plan is to put under cultivation some 100,000 hectares of land initially to meet local demand and later increase to 300,000 hectares to meet the West African market.  

“The agricultural plans will be accompanied by plans for the processing/milling, refining, and marketing of the oil and downstream processed products,” he among other things, concluded.