The Delegation of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), a regional organization that focuses on climate change and sustainable development, led by its head of mission, Nabil Ben Khatra on Monday, July 29, 2024, made a significant visit to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).
In a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah and team, the delegation underscored the need for enhanced collaboration on the smooth implementation of the Scaling up climate-resilient rice production in West Africa (RICOWAS) project in Liberia.
Speaking to journalists, right after meeting with the Ministry at the EJS Ministerial Complex, Mr. Khatra said that Liberia as a member of the OSS, through the RICOWAS project, his organization needed to reinforce collaboration with the government of Liberia in enhancing food security.
"As you may know, Liberia is now a member of our organization. This visit is to reinforce our organization's collaboration with the government in building the capacity of the smallholder farmers in climate smart rice production practices," he said.
RICOWAS is an initiative launched by the Economic Community of West African States to improve the yield of rice within the sub region using climate smart agriculture rice production techniques. Its main objective is to improve climate resilience and increase the productivity of the rice system of smallholder rice farmers across the region using a climate-resilient rice production approach.
The project which was launched in Liberia a year ago in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture involves training of rice farmers in climate change to improve yield aims to buttress the government's effort in scaling up rice production. It is being implemented in five counties, including Montserrado, Bomi, Bong, Lofa Nimba, and Grand Gedeh.
Khatra said that his meeting with the ministry further demonstrates his organization's unwavering commitment in working with the government to build the capacities of rice farmers in climate smart agriculture practices.
"My meeting with the Minister is to explain the importance of the project in addressing climate change and adaptation issues. We can develop programs that can build the resilience of the farmers to overcome climate change.
He said the project in Liberia is aligned with the nation's national agriculture development plan (NADP).
He said that climate change is negatively impacting the lives of farmers across the continent so his institution is working to introduce technologies.
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Meanwhile, agriculture minister, Dr. Nuetah has welcomed the OSS delegation to Liberia and has promised to work with them in scaling up the production of rice.
Minister Nuetah in formed the OSS delegation that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai recently launched the National Agriculture Development Plan which highlights rice production as very key for the economy.
He said under the plan Liberia is expected to develop 50,000 hectares of lowland and so the RICOWS program could be a great contributing factor.
"We have developed our national agriculture development plan to guide the sector in the implantation of projects and programs. When I heard that the project intends to support farmers to develop more than 2,000 hectares and make them think that we are getting somewhere. However, this means that our farmers should be able to double production. Under the new plan we want the farmers to grow rice in one place in a sustainable manner," the minister said.
He mentioned that the administration of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai wants to make Liberia self-sufficient in rice production or either reduce the importation of rice to a greater extent before the end of his tenure.
For his part, the Executive Director of the RICOWAS, Bishop Robert Bimba, said that since the project was launched they have succeeded in setting up a steering committee and they are expected to soon start the mapping of the project sites in the various counties.
Bimba said the project is expected to develop 2,741 hectares of lowlands in the targeted counties.
