An aide memoir valued at twenty eight million United States dollars has been signed between the Government of Liberia and the African Development Bank/International Fund for Agricultural Development (AfDB/IFAD).

Performing the signing ceremony last Thursday at the Agriculture Ministry in Sinkor, Minister Dr. J. Chris Toe signed on behalf of government, while the Team Leader of the Joint AfDB/IFAD program signed for the two organizations.

According to inside sources, the government and the international financial institutions will kick off the initiative in 2009 to continue up to 2015.

The program will seek to improve the livelihoods and living conditions of rural communities through restoration and development of agricultural production.

It is expected that funds from the program will support residents in rural communities especially, residents of counties that have not received adequate assistance in the past including, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Rural Montserrado, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Grand Kru and Maryland Counties.

Speaking during the ceremony, Agriculture Minister, J. Chris Toe, expressed delight over the signing of the Aide Memoir, saying that the program is part of the "Lift Liberia" Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).

He said the programme, whereby farmers' capacity will be improved and domestic food production increased considerably.

"I wish to implore AfDB/IFAD for the speed at which this program is being implemented and the amount of resources that are being infused in the Liberian economy to assist the poor and most vulnerable people" Dr. Toe noted.

Also speaking, Dr. Marianne Kurzweil, Team Leader of the Joint AfDB/IFAD Program said the program will contribute significantly to poverty reduction; improve agro processing, provide employment opportunities and build the capacity of relevant agricultural institutions.

"I'm optimistic that this program will be a major contributor to the food security situation of Liberia, Dr. Kurzweil said. Of the US$28 million dollars, AfDB will provide US$17 million, IFAD US$10 million and the government of Liberia US$1 million dollars.

There are five components of the program: Component 1 will provide Support to Household Capitalization and Agricultural Development; Component 2 - Support to Community-Based Institutions and Participatory Development; Component 3 -Rural Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Development; Component 4 - Access to Rural Financial Services; and Component 5 - Program Management spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture to include other relevant agencies of government