-Pres. Boakai Makes Case For Liberia’s Agriculture Sector
By G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has assured Liberia’s readiness to contribute to the global movement for food security by sharing vision and experiences in building an inclusive, resilient, and transformative agrifood system—one that can deliver sustainable food security and nutrition for our people not just today but in the future.
Delivering the keynote address at the World Food Forum 2024 in Rome, Italy on October 14, 2024, under the theme: “Good Food Today, Good Food Tomorrow”, President Boakai articulated: “Liberia stands ready to contribute to this global movement for food security by sharing vision and experiences in building an inclusive, resilient, and transformative agrifood system. Located in the heart of West Africa’s Upper Guinea Rainforest region, Liberia is recognized as one of the world’s most biodiverse areas. We are also one of the world’s wettest countries, with an annual rainfall exceeding 2500 mm.”
He further narrated, “Our revised 2021 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commits to reducing GHG emissions by 64% below the projected business-as-usual level by 2030. In doing so, we reaffirm our dedication to environmental sustainability, with 10% of the reduction unconditional and 54% dependent on international support. Liberia is a vital net carbon sink, absorbing more greenhouse gases (GHGs) than it emits, and proudly contains over 40 percent of West Africa’s remaining rainforest. While we remain proud of our contributions to addressing global warming, we must also recognize the importance of our dependence on the soil for our food security and economic development,” the President noted.
The President called on global leaders to prioritize funding for agricultural innovation and sustainable farming practices in Liberia noting that that Liberia provides the best alternative that solves world food problems.
President Boakai added that equipping Liberian farmers with the right tools, knowledge, and resources, can increase crop yields diversify production, and ensure that farmers can feed their families and as well lift themselves out of poverty.
“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 the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and providing a livelihood for over 68% of Liberia’s population. He stated that development in food and cash crops, fisheries, and livestock can drive rapid growth in the next few years through sustainable practices and improved inputs. And 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.
President Boakai added that his administration’s vision for sustainable agriculture and food security is simple but ambitious. He added that it requires purposefully investing 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.
“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,” the Liberian Leader said.
He emphasized: “We are also starting an Agro-Industrial Development Program, centered on Oil Palm and Cocoa. This initiative will transform the oleo-products industry into a cornerstone of our economic growth and wealth creation. 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.”
In furtherance, President Boakai said Liberia’s ideal climate is equipped to develop a robust oleo-chemicals industry, with an initial focus on oil palm cultivation. He provided that Liberia faced a significant shortfall of over 40,000 tons of palm oil, and across West Africa, that deficit reached 1.8 million tons.
Asserting that this program is not just about agriculture; it’s about enhancing the nation’s food security and securing a prosperous future for all Liberians.
The President revealed 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. “Currently, we face a significant shortfall of over 40,000 tons of palm oil, and across West Africa, that deficit reaches 1.8 million tons. This program is not just about agriculture; it’s about enhancing our food security and securing a prosperous future for all Liberians.”
He stressed, “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.” Boakai added
Meanwhile, President Boakai asserted that to achieve this, his administration will leverage technology and digitization to strengthen agricultural research and extension services and will remain sensitive to conservation commitments that will improve access to finance by establishing an agriculture enterprise development bank.
“To achieve this, we will leverage technology and digitization and strengthen agricultural research and extension services. In addition, we will remain sensitive to conservation commitments, and we will improve access to finance by establishing an agriculture enterprise development bank.”
As the world looks toward the future and begins preparing good food, the Liberian leader asserted that global leaders must act with urgency, determination, and focus, targeting Support for Local Food Systems, Promoting Climate Resilience, and Strengthening Social Safety Nets, and as well as Global Collaboration and Partnerships.
For Support for Local Food Systems, President Boakai urged global leaders to commit to bolstering local food production networks by investing in rural infrastructure such as roads, markets, and storage facilities. He asserted that supply chains can improve and decrease post-harvest losses through supporting local farmers’ cooperatives and smallholder initiatives will empower communities and foster resilience, Strengthening Social Safety Nets.
The President said that to Promote Climate Resilience must adopt and implement climate-smart agricultural practices and invest in research for drought-resistant crops that can withstand changing weather patterns, ensuring that food systems remain stable in the face of environmental uncertainty.
In furtherance, President Boakai added that Strengthening Social Safety Nets is imperative to broaden social protection programs that can provide direct support to those most at risk of food insecurity by ensuring access to nutrition for children, pregnant women, and the elderly is essential to break the cycle of poverty and malnourishment.
Moreover, he added that Global Collaboration and Partnerships must be an engagement in cross-border collaborations, share best practices, and foster partnerships between governments, civil society, private sector stakeholders, and international organizations.
He asserted that with unity, and dedicated actions to create sustainable food systems that not only feed our nations but lay the foundation for enduring peace and prosperity.
He said the global population is growing, with increasing pressures on food systems. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation further threaten the ability to meet the food needs of a growing population.
President Boakai asserted that these factors have not only aggravated the food crisis but have also deepened vulnerabilities within communities, limiting their access to adequate nutrition and the means for improving their lives.
However, he added that there is a need for concrete action and urgent, impactful steps that will drive tangible change on the ground.
