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Africa: China Earmarks U.S.$5 Billion for Food Production on Continent
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The NEWS (Monrovia)
23 April 2008
Posted to the web 23 April 2008
T. Michael Johnny
Monrovia
A visiting Chinese delegation headed by the Chief Executive Officer of China-Africa Development Fund says about 5 billion United States dollars have been earmarked for the production of food and cash crops in Liberia and other African countries over a 50-year period.
Mr. Chi Jianxin, at a head of a Chinese delegation, is in the country to explore investment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Chi said his company has the financial capacity and expertise to develop and stabilize the food situation in Liberia "particularly in rice production and other cash crops".
During an acquaintance visit with Liberia's Agriculture Minister Chris Toe, the Chinese delegation summed up its exploratory visit in averring that an increased investment in the agricultural sector would provide more food as well as jobs for thousands of Liberians.
In response, Minister Toe thanked the Chinese delegation for its commitment to revitalize the agricultural sector.
He told the Chinese delegation that commercial rice and cassava production are critical priorities to reduce poverty in Liberia. "Commercial rice, Cassava, and other cash crops would greatly reduce poverty and enhance the economy," he accentuated.
Minister Toe assured that there are several investment opportunities in the country that could steadily be looked into for partnership.
The Agriculture Minister acknowledged that a good investment partnership could be in the areas of food and tree crops, agro processing technology and the training of Liberian farmers in commercial farming activities as a way of making Liberia self reliant in food production.
Dr. Toe commended the government and people of China for the numerous assistance they continue to render the agriculture sector including the China-Liberia Agricultural Demonstration Center, bamboo weaving training program, hybrid production as well as the provision of assorted farming tools, among others.
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The Chinese are intervening in the agriculture sector at a time when food prices have skyrocketed world wide over the last three years leading to food insecurity.
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