PNews-Monrovia,Liberia-16 August 2018:The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MocI) has concluded discussions with representatives of the African Development Bank amid at ensuring the establishment of a aggro-processing plant in Liberia with assistance from the ABD under the frame work of “Feed Africa” Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa.
Speaking during the formal meeting in Monrovia recently with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Prof. Wilson K. Tarpeh, the African Development Bank (ADB) delegation outlined the challenges in getting the youth interested in education and farming.
The ADB delegation expressed readiness to establish an Agro-Processing Zone at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Buchanan. The ADB said is it now time to redefine its strategies for Liberia based on the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), and to improve the productivity upstream (farmers) by focusing on increasing the productivity of key Argo-commodities such as rice, horticulture, cassava and poultry.
During their stay in the country, the ADB representatives and senior staffs of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry visited the Buchanan SEZ for assessment.
While in Buchanan, the ADB representatives also expressed their wiliness to establish a project with the MoCI, MoA, and MFDP on creating the Agro-Processing Zone. “The ADB is prepared to work with the Government of Liberia in transforming the Agricultural Sector” the Commerce Ministry statement said.
Meanwhile, the ADB said it will help young Liberians to focus on the productivity upstream (farmers) by focusing on increasing the production of key agro-commodities in line with government Pro-Poor Agenda.
In response to the ADB delegation statement, the Minister of Commerce and Industry Prof. Wilson K. Tarpeh emphasized that Government will place Liberian farmers as shareholders in any future agriculture project.
The ADB developed a strategy called “FEED AFRICA” Strategy to focus on agriculture, support the four specific goals of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and also support the seven would be Agro-Processing enablers that include increase productivity, realizing the value of increased production, increase investment in infrastructure and create an enabling agribusiness environment. The rest are catalyzing flows of capital, ensuring inclusivity, sustainability and effective nutrition.
