By: James Lehmer Hiama, Jr.; hiamajames@gmail.com; 0770334857/0888270604

IPNEWS-Monrovia: The Executive Director of Feeding Liberia (FELA) Inc., NGO Mr. Josephus M.C Freeman is again calling on the ‘Government of Liberia’ and ‘International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs)’ to render more supports to local NGOs engaged with agriculture activities if Liberia will overcome the challenges of Food Insecurity, with Feeding Liberia (FELA) Inc., NGO being of no exception.

According to Executive Director of FELA Freeman, “unlike in the past when Liberians thought that the engagements of agriculture or farming activities was an activity associated with poor or less valued people in our society which made it difficult for lot of Liberians not to find interest in agriculture or farming. But nowadays, Liberians as a whole have found passion in the agriculture sector and have realized that agriculture is a most valuable sector in any country’s economy of the world, which they are now taking advantage of to sustain themselves and families, and thereby creating employments in their local communities in these difficult times of Global Economic Crisis.”

The Executive Director urged that, “from the accounts of all the natural and man-made happenings including Climate Change, Outbreak of Diseases, War amongst countries that keep causing Food Insecurity, it is now time that the government of Liberia see it as ‘Imperative’ to engage with more local agriculture NGOs like ‘Feeding Liberia (FELA) Inc., NGOs that is already engage with theirs local and people to ensure that the country archive its intend of ‘Food security’ and ‘Self-sufficiency’  agenda through agriculture as enshrined in the PAPD”.

Making his reechoed call on Saturday, January 7, 2023 in an exclusive interview with IPNEWS desk at the head office of FELA Inc. NGO located at the Barnesville Junction on the Japan’s Freeway in Montserrado County, Mr. Freeman stressed that, “If Government of Liberia and INGOs gave more supports to local NGOs through the provision of trainings, Farming equipment and products, Machineries, and Funding, in a period of ten (10) years or less, the problems food Insecurity tackled or reduced an appreciate level, and Liberia will get on path with developed nations of the earth through the operation of maximum food production and stability.”

Continuing, Mr. Freeman told IPNEWS that FELA organization was founded on November 10, 2014, and was recognized by the Liberian Government on May 12, 2017 upon the completion of a legitimate Business Registration evidenced with Article of Incorporation, An NGO Status, Notary Certificate and Tax Payment Receipts from the Liberia Business Registry and other Legal Entities in Liberia which has grant them Opportunity and Authority to execute Legal Transaction in Liberia and Abroad.

Since then, as a humanitarian organization, “our programs has been Agriculture, Feeding, Education, Health, and etc. In seeking the welfare of the Poor and Needy, FELA has being undertaking series of humanitarian Projects, programs, Trainings, and other Initiatives; all gearing towards improving the living status of the ‘Poor and Needy’ people in our communities, country, and greater society,” he averred.

He also added that, “besides the projects, FELA has single-handily undertaken series of humanitarian projects in Liberia especially in the rural areas for the benefit of the common people. We have cultivated several acres of Farm lands where we produced rice, corn, peppers and other vegetables which are distributed in the interest of the poor in Tuzon, and Gbaleken in Grand Gedeh County, Todee in Montserrado County, Pleebo city in Maryland County, and the National Capital Monrovia where we have our Head Office presently”.

The ED maintained that, “in order for the program to benefit many people, currently FELA is undertaking 50 acres in Todee, 20 acres in Grand Gedeh and 20 acres in Maryland while other project sites are being located until the entire country is covered by humanitarian activities. We also supply farming tools, seeds and trainings to other farmers in order to encourage maximum food production for the self-sufficiency and domestic sustainability in an effort to minimize food insecurity in Liberia and beyond”.