Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called on Liberians to actively engage in agricultural activities, describing the sector as a vital source of income and nutrition for citizens across the country.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com
Speaking Thursday, June 11 at the opening of the 21st Cabinet Meeting since the inception of his administration held at the Tea House of the Executive Mansion, President Boakai emphasized that agriculture should not be limited to professional farmers, noting that anyone with access to land can participate in food production.
“You don’t have to be a farmer to do agriculture, all you have to do is to have land,” President Boakai said.
The President stressed that with technical guidance from the Ministry of Agriculture, Liberians can make productive use of their land regardless of their level of farming experience.
“Land with the technical knowhow through the people of the Ministry of Agriculture everybody can produce. Because the Ministry of Agriculture people will tell you what your land is good for and how it can begin to get into production,” the president said.
President Boakai described agriculture as one of Liberia’s most important economic sectors and expressed confidence that the country has the potential to expand production and strengthen food security.
“Over the years there have been some problems but we do believe that we still have opportunities to move agriculture to the level that it will be a major source for not just income but it will provide nutrition for our country,” he stated.
The Liberian leader also urged the Ministry of Agriculture to provide updates on current production levels and improve outreach to farmers across the country.
“I can tell the Minister most often that I can be very supportive of the farmers. In many times we go to the counties, we can see agriculture building but I hope today that the Minister will inform us about the production whether rice or different crops and how the people who are involved in agriculture can be reached,” he pointed out.
President Boakai’s remarks come as his administration continues to prioritize agriculture as a key pillar of its development agenda, aimed at boosting local food production, creating jobs, and reducing dependence on imported food commodities.
