This initiative is part of the government’s goal to Cultivate at least 7, 400 hectares of lowland rice Within five years.
The Liberian government has announced plans to install a rice processing plant in Saclepea, Nimba County, as part of a broader strategy to boost domestic rice production, improve post-harvest handling, and strengthen national food security.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) during the launch of the 2026 harvest season in Nimba County.
Dr J. Alexander Nuetah, Agriculture Minister, said the initiative aligns with the government’s objective of increasing local food production while reducing the country’s reliance on imported rice.
According to Dr. Nuetah, the processing plant forms part of a five-year plan under which Liberia aims to cultivate at least 7,400 hectares of lowland rice nationwide.
Of this total, about 2,000 hectares are located in Nimba County, reflecting the county’s strategic importance in the country’s rice value chain. He noted that the focus is not only on production but also on processing and market access to ensure farmers can capture more value from their harvests.
The minister emphasized the need to move away from subsistence farming toward commercial agriculture.
He outlined plans to establish mechanization centers, improve irrigation systems, and expand farmers’ access to modern equipment.
As part of this effort, the ministry is targeting the cultivation of 50 hectares of government-allocated lowland rice in Nimba County for commercial farming. Dr. Nuetah clarified that proceeds from this production would be directed toward community development initiatives.
Encouraging farmers to scale up output, the minister stressed the importance of ensuring rice is widely available and affordable on the domestic market.
“We eat more rice, so you must grow rice, and let it be plenty on the market,” Dr. Nuetah said.
The ministry also plans to construct 13 mechanization centers across Liberia, with three earmarked for Nimba County. These facilities are expected to support land preparation, harvesting, and post-harvest operations, reducing labor constraints and improving productivity.
Dr. Nuetah linked the initiatives to President Joseph Boakai’s agenda to transform Liberia’s agricultural sector through modern and sustainable practices.
This approach is anchored in the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) 2025–2029, which adopts a value-chain framework covering production, aggregation, processing, marketing, and consumption.
The plan prioritizes investment in infrastructure, technology, research, and farmer empowerment, while promoting large-scale cooperative farming models.
Alex Tomah, Commissioner of Zoegeh Administrative District, described the support as a sign of responsible governance and commitment to rural livelihoods.
On his part, Stanley David, chairman of farmers in Behyepea, commended the Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts through the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P), which supports rice, oil palm, and horticulture value chains.
