Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill has formally requested an investigation into the allocation of $40 million designated for the empowerment of smallholder farmers, asserting that the funds may have been misappropriated.
In a communication addressed to the plenary of the Liberian Senate, McGill expressed his concerns over the management of the funds allocated under the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) and the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), both supported by the World Bank.
“These programs are aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and commercialization, particularly for smallholder farmers,” Senator McGill stated. “However, it appears that the money intended to uplift our poorest farmers has instead ended up in the hands of the wealthy.”
The senator highlighted that approximately $200 million was earmarked for supporting local communities and farmers to expand agribusiness in Liberia, with over $40 million previously allocated for providing microloans to small farmers under the STAR-P initiative during the past administration.
In alignment with the Senate’s commitment to transparency and accountability, McGill has requested the Ministry of Agriculture to present a comprehensive update on the status of the STAR-P and RETRAP programs. He specifically called for the agriculture minister to provide a detailed breakdown of program expenditures, including:
– The total amount of funds allocated and distributed.
– The number of farmers and beneficiaries who received loans.
– The geographic distribution of beneficiaries to ensure inclusivity.
– The current management and implementation processes of both programs.
“Given that this program involves loan disbursement, it is crucial that we closely monitor progress and guarantee that these funds are effectively utilized to benefit our farmers and bolster the agribusiness sector,” McGill emphasized.
The senator’s call for accountability reflects a growing concern among lawmakers and citizens regarding the effective use of financial resources intended for the support of Liberia’s agricultural communities. As Liberia seeks to improve food security and foster economic growth through its agricultural sector, the outcome of this inquiry may have significant implications for future funding and support for smallholder farmers across the nation.
