Delegation to China Secures 3 MOUs for Agriculture Production

MONROVIA: A Liberian government delegation to the People’s Republic of China has secured three Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) intended to boost agriculture productions in the country towards attaining food security and economic growth.

The good news was delivered at the regular press briefing of the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) by the head of delegation, the Minister of Agriculture Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah on Monday, July 8.

According to Minister Nuetah, the Republic of Liberia and China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs signed the “Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation” which is intended to foster and improve bilateral cooperation in agriculture and strengthen technical cooperation to promote agriculture development and food security in the two countries.

Under this MOU, a Joint Working group (JWG) is provided for in order to supervise the implementation of the MOU and facilitate coordination between parties; determine the activities, programs, and measures to be carried out under this MOU; establish a communication channel to exchange information, progress updates, and address challenges promptly, and convene once every two years in Liberia or China with a theme and agenda decided by the group.

Parties are expected to jointly identify and mobilize financial resources, including financial, technical, and other forms of support for the implementation of activities under this MOU.

It will also cooperatively seek financial, technical, and other forms of support from FAO and other international agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Key areas of cooperation under the MOU are policies and planning for agriculture development; breeding activities and production of high-yielding cultivation techniques and control and management of plant pests and diseases; livestock and poultry farming, prevention and control of animal diseases; fisheries and aquaculture; agriculture processing and improvement of the value chain; capacity building and human resource development in agriculture; agriculture mechanization, and agriculture trade and investment.

The MOU which took effect on June 18, 2024, is valid for a period of five years and be extended automatically for the succeeding five years.

The second MOU is centered on the National Agriculture Development Plan and it was between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Liberia and Sinomach Hainan Development Co., Ltd, People Republic of China

According to Minister J. Alexander Nuetah The Scope of the MOU include trading of agricultural produce, including cashew, maize, wheat, fruits, and others; trading of agricultural machinery, including harvesters, processing equipment, and others; provision of package solutions for poultry and livestock, including farming, seedling, slaughtering, and storage; ntroduction of advance agricultural technology in farming, irrigation, and field management, and the implementation of infrastructure projects.

Regarding funding, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah said Sinomach Hainan will collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Liberia to provide agriculture machinery and equipment to Liberia, promote advanced agriculture technology, and establish long-term trading channel for agricultural products.

Sinomach Hainan will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Liberia and collaborate with ECA and financial institutions to finalize appropriate financial tools for the implementation of the project based on acceptable grantees.

This MOU entered into full effect on June 20, 2024 and valid for a period of three years from the date of its signature by the parties.

The third Memorandum of Understanding is to establish programs of exchange collaboration in areas of mutual interest and benefit between the government of the Republic of Liberia and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences Co. Ltd.

Amongst other things, the MOU is intended to establish programs of exchange collaboration in areas of mutual interest and benefit for the two countries, and its scope includes agriculture, food security, environmental protection, disaster reduction, and sustainable development.

Its additional activities include coping with climate change, green development of agriculture, and smart agriculture; joint R&D, demonstration, and promotion of technology transfer.

The MOU will strengthen exchange and cooperation in the field of agricultural engineering, agricultural equipment, and agricultural products processing; promote agricultural mechanization in rice and cash crops such as coffee and cocoa.

Other programs under this MOU are environmental engineering, including farmland construction, agriculture and livestock waste management, and urban garbage and sewage; intellectual resource cooperation in green, smart, and urban agriculture, agricultural and industrial zone planning and designing; international training and transferring of new technologies by the two countries for SMEs and young start-ups.

It also includes to conduct and organize bilateral/international hot conference, forums, summit, and expositions; conduct and organize bilateral/international technology, standards, testing, and compliance training; exchange visits and joint training of officials, scientific researchers, scholars, and students; and exchange of academic industry and business information and materials, publication activities of mutual interests.

The MOU took effect on June 21, 2024.

Members of the Delegation

It can be recalled a special delegation headed by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, visited the People’s Republic of China and held a bilateral discussion on China’s support to the Liberian Government in the areas of agriculture innovation, mechanization, technologies transfer, and investment opportunities in Liberia.

Members of the delegation included Mrs. Antoinette E Dukuly, deputy Minister for administration, Ministry of Agriculture; Mr. Dephue Zuo, Deputy Minister for Economic Planning and Management, Ministry of Finance and Development, Mr. Francis Mulbah, Assistant Minister of Planning and Policy, Ministry of Agriculture, and Lovette Fahnbulleh, Secretary, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. T

The team arrived in Beijing on June 18, 2024, and departed on June 22, 2024.

While in Beijing, the team had a series of bilateral discussions with the following entities: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, P.R. China, Sinomach Hainan Development Company Limited, China Agricultural University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, P.R. China, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences (CAAMS). While at CAAMS, the team also visited the National Key Agricultural Machinery and Engineering Laboratories. The team also visited the Fujian Province outside Beijing and discussed with the local government. In Fujian, the team visited Fujian Lanliang Fishery Company, the Integrated Rice-Fish Farming Cooperative, and Luoyuan Xilan Qijingtang Tea Company and had a business discussion with the executives.

Based on the bilateral discussions with the various Chinese ministries and industries, the team successfully signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration. Also, discussions are on the way for the possible signing of MOUs for cooperation with other ministries and industries that were engaged.

Other Outcomes of Mission

In addition to the three main MOUs assigned between the delegation and Chinese organizations, the trip also secured a number of projects and programs, including the STAR Project 2024 Rice Farmland Preparation Update.

The STAR Project initially targeted the development of 1,000 hectares of farmland Commercial-scale rice production in the 2024 rice farming season.

The project has identified several sites in different counties that are suitable for rice production. Specific counties in which these sites have been identified include, Nimba, Lofa, Grand Bassa and Grand Cape Mount Counties. Details on the actual locations and current status of these farm sites are provided

In Gbedin, in Sanniquellie-Mah District, the project is supporting the development of 80 hectares of lowland which is owned and managed by the Gbedin Farmers Cooperative that comprises of 250 members (150 males and 100 females).

Technical support for land preparation and cultivation works is being provided by Gbedin Agro, a STAR Project matching grant beneficiary and mechanization service provider.

The project provided Gbedin Agro a tractor, 2 disc ploughs, 1 disc harrow and fuel for development of the targeted land area. At present, 68 hectares have been cleared and ploughed and is ready for harrowing and planting.

Clearing and ploughing is currently ongoing on the remaining 40 hectares. Additionally, the service provider has overseen the rehabilitation of one of three dams providing irrigation for the field, including rehabilitation of bunds, canals and other water control structures.

IN, Gbehlay Geh District, land clearing completed on 79 hectares of land in 4 locations: Zualay (22 ha), Gbei Bonnah (20 ha), Gbei Gooplay (25 ha) and Senlay (12 ha).

Destemming, ploughing, rehabilitation of irrigation structures and nursery establishment currently ongoing at all 4 locations. These activities are funded by the STAR Project and implemented by LIFADCO, a STAR Project matching grant beneficiary and mechanization service provider.

In Zoe Geh and Sanniquellie-Mah Districts – Land clearing of 52 hectares ongoing at 2 locations: Frolay in Zoe Geh District (22 ha) and Gowee in Sanniquellie-Mah District (30 ha). Land clearing is scheduled to be completed in 5 days, which will be followed by destemming, ploughing and development of irrigation structures. All activities are funded by the STAR Project and implemented by LIFADCO, a STAR Project matching grant beneficiary and mechanization service provider.

For Tappita District, 100 hectares of land targeted for development in 2 locations: Doeyelay (50 ha) and Tappita (50 ha).

Site identification and mapping concluded, and land clearing scheduled to begin in the first week of July. All activities will be funded by the STAR Project and implemented by LIFADCO, a STAR Project matching grant beneficiary and mechanization service provider.

In Grand Cape Mount County, specifically, Kpenegee, Garwula District, there is completion of land clearing, ploughing, harrowing and planting of rice on 160 hectares. Weed control and other crop management activities ongoing.

These activities are being implemented through an MOU between the STAR Project and Kanneh Farm.

IN Grand Bassa Country, Compound #2 to be specific, the project already completed land clearing on 40 hectares of land in 2 locations: Way-Kor (15 ha) and Coniwein (25 ha).

Destemming, ploughing and development of irrigation and water control structures currently ongoing. These activities are being implemented through an MOU between the STAR Project and Coniwein Rice Farmers Cooperative.

For Lofa County, assessment of 100 hectares of lowland is completed, as well as 73 hectares located at 2 sites in Foya (New Foya and Sayanin) and 23 hectares in Voinjama.

Site identification and mapping concluded, and land clearing scheduled to begin in the first week of July. All activities will be funded by the STAR Project and implemented by a service provider.

The STAR Project has procured the services of mechanization service provider to develop an additional 400 hectares of lowland in various locations in Nimba County.

The sites have been identified, bids for the services received and evaluated, a service provider selected, and works are scheduled to begin by July 1.