Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., says the Unity Party-led government is committed to ensuring that the country moves steadily in a positive direction.

He said it is the government's desire this time around to engage in sustainable projects, noting that as a country emerging from a brutal civil conflict that left the country's infrastructure in ruins, investments can only be sustainable when infrastructure like farm-to-market roads are in place.

Vice President Boakai made the remarks Thursday, when a three-man delegation from Louisiana State University in U.S.A, paid a courtesy call on him at his Capitol Building office.

He stressed the need for concerted efforts to improve food production in the country, and called on the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) in Bong County to assume more responsibility and undertake additional research for community farming and investments.

The Liberian Vice President also stressed the need to reactivate cooperatives to help farmers and create a community spirit.

Earlier in remarks, Mr. Nigel S.D Williams, Director of International Business Development of Schaffer Global Group, said they were in the country to see for themselves and invest a US$150 million in one of the largest sugar cane power plants in West Africa.

He said they have been active over the last two years providing technical support for the Buchanan Renewable Energy in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

Mr. Williams recalled the longstanding association between the Liberian government and Louisiana State University which, he noted, dates back to the 1980s.

Also in remarks, Dr. Lakshman Velupillai, a Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Louisiana State University, said their guiding principle in project development and project implementation is to look for country-led strategies.

He reiterated that they have a long association with Liberia in rice production, noting that they have a lot to offer in post-harvest technology, extension and outreach as well as capacity building.