By Jamesetta D Williams
The Ministry of Agriculture, with support from STAR-P, has provided an initial package of agricultural inputs and farming materials to the Agriculture Company of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) as part of efforts to strengthen food production and support Liberia’s national food security agenda.
The package included fertilizer, improved rice and vegetable seeds, shovels, watering cans, rain boots, gloves, and other essential farming tools intended to enhance the AFL’s expanding agricultural activities. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to encourage local food production and sustainable agricultural development across the country.
Presenting the items, Assistant Minister for Extension Edward Perry described the collaboration as a significant step toward transforming the AFL agricultural site into a pilot demonstration farm for institutional agriculture.
“We want to use this site as a demonstration area for rice production now, and later vegetables and cassava production,” Minister Perry stated. He also announced plans for additional support, including the provision of a power tiller, tractor services, and technical training in modern farming practices to improve productivity and efficiency at the site.
At the farm, AFL personnel are already making progress in expanding production. According to Staff Sergeant Blama Zuba, the team cultivated 1.2 hectares of rice during the previous farming season and has now expanded operations to 3.5 hectares this year. Of that total, three hectares have been dedicated to rice production, while half a hectare is being used for vegetable cultivation.
The farming initiative currently involves about 20 AFL personnel, including two women, reflecting the Armed Forces’ growing participation in national development efforts beyond traditional security responsibilities.
Receiving the agricultural materials on behalf of the AFL Agriculture Company, Major Kollie Smith expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture for the timely intervention and continued partnership aimed at strengthening food production within the institution.
The collaboration is part of the Government of Liberia’s broader “Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda,” which seeks to promote local food production, institutional farming, and long-term agricultural sustainability as key components of national development and food security.
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