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Liberia: Country Has Enough Food
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The Inquirer (Monrovia)
22 May 2008
Posted to the web 22 May 2008
Melissa Chea-Annan
Amidst rumors that there is food shortage on the Liberian market, Agriculture Minister, Dr. J. Chris Toe has assured that in spite of the unprecedented increases in global food prices, the country still has enough food stocked-piled in its warehouses to ensure that its citizens are fed.
The Minister has also cautioned Liberians to engage into diversity farming and produce other food crops that would also nourish the body instead of just concentrating on rice, which is the nation's staple food.
Addressing the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) weekly briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Toe, flanked by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Country Representative in Liberia, Dr. Winfred Hammond, explained that the Liberian Government is doing everything in its power to ensure that food be available and affordable on the market.
According to him, as a country that imports 100% of its fuel products and over 60% of its major grains, Liberia is vulnerable and its post-conflict stability could be imperiled by these international developments, especially in the continuous increase in global food prices.
Dr. Toe said that sensing the fact that the global food price increases are likely to last for some time, the Liberian Leader, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, among several other things has eliminated the consumer tax on imported rice of $2.10 per bag; eliminated all tariff on agricultural materials and supplies through the end of the year, and initiated discussions with stakeholders at national and international levels.
He described their mission as successful in that the inputs they have received from these consultations are now being incorporated into their formal national response to the global food crises.
The Agriculture Minister further stated that the government's 2008/2009 budget appropriation to his Ministry will seek to accelerate essential Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS)-based food and agriculture sector intervention and moreover, non-contingency funding has been provided in four critical areas, including US$500,000 for the provision of agricultural materials for 25,000 beneficiaries among others.
Dr. Toe also stated that in addition to these non-contingent expenditures, the government plans to provide another US$1,555,000 that would be used for tools and small equipment; agricultural supplies and inputs; land transport and additional community-based food security facilities.
The UN Representative on Food, Dr. Winfred Hammond, reiterated the UN's commitment to ensuring that the Liberian Government provides sufficient food for its citizens and urged Liberian farmers to focus on diversified agriculture to balance their diet.
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The UN Food boss, who stated that the World Food Program (WFP) now has a policy to purchase local food, however encouraged the farmers to produce more food in order to help boost the country's economy and fight the global food crises.
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