Liberia’s agriculture sector is set for a significant private-investment boost following discussions between Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah and the Mainland Group Board of Directors in Changsha, China. The talks, held during the company’s Annual Gala 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Changsha, concluded with commitments to expand Mainland Group’s footprint in Liberia through new agro-processing facilities and broader investment cooperation.
The gala, marking Mainland Group’s 25th anniversary, brought together senior government officials, business leaders, and development stakeholders from Asia and Africa. In his keynote remarks, Minister Nuetah congratulated the company on its transformation since 2001 into a global player in agricultural value-chain development. He reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to building international partnerships that advance agricultural modernization, value addition, job creation, and inclusive growth.
Nuetah highlighted Mainland Group’s role in strengthening agricultural trade across Africa and Asia, while stressing the importance of sustainability and community impact. He praised the company’s “One Body, Two Wings” strategy—integrating production, value addition, investment, and trade—as a model that aligns with Liberia’s priorities for modernizing its food systems.
The Minister underscored Liberia’s vast agricultural potential, citing fertile land, favorable climate, and a strong farming tradition. Yet he acknowledged persistent challenges: the export of raw commodities, reliance on imported staples such as rice, and limited local processing capacity. “We grow cassava in abundance, but we must build the capacity to process it and unlock its full economic potential. We produce world-class cocoa and coffee, but too often we export the beans while others capture the value through processing and branding,” he said.
Nuetah welcomed Mainland Group’s planned establishment of cassava-processing and rice-milling facilities in Liberia, describing them as timely interventions to support national goals for agricultural transformation. He emphasized that such investments go beyond infrastructure, creating jobs, opening markets for farmers, and strengthening value chains from production to trade. “Your decision to invest in value addition of our cassava, cocoa, coffee, and rice value chains represents confidence in our nation’s future,” he added.
On the sidelines, Nuetah met with Mainland Group Chairman Mr. Zhu Chen, who reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continuous investment in Liberia. Chen pledged to expand into logistics and financial services, complementing agro-processing ventures and improving distribution systems to enhance Liberia’s agrifood efficiency.
In related engagements, Nuetah also held talks with Mr. Shen Yumou, Director General of the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, and Madam Qian Lixia, Deputy Mayor of Changsha City. Both parties agreed to explore trade opportunities, including the production and export of Liberian hot pepper to China.
Minister Nuetah reiterated Liberia’s readiness to partner with investors committed to sustainable growth. “We welcome those who invest in activities that deliver real benefits to our farmers and communities,” he said.
