MONROVIA – Development experts on Liberia have long argued that the country’s transformation and growth lie in agriculture, not only terms of food security and self-reliance but also in job creation and economic independence – the general fight against poverty.
This argument is backed by a patronizing natural space with which Providence has endowed the country – the weather and climatic conditions, and a burgeoning youthful population (labor force). Sadly, this vital sector, from time in memorial, is accorded mere rhetoric and slogans, grossly downplayed and untaped, which is why according to the experts, Liberia is stuck in the abyss of poverty and socioeconomic stagnation.
But all evidence now is that that unfortunate narrative is about to change for the better under the incumbency of a staunched scholar, wise planner and experienced agriculturist as the Minister.
Man at the helm of Liberia’s agriculture sector right now, Dr. Nuetah, is armed with incredible academic accolades in the field of agriculture, including Master’s and PhD degrees, and countless certifications as a practitioner. He is not just laden with academic honors, he is practical and results-driver, a workaholic with enormous passion for the science of the job which is why his stay, in less than a year, has attracted a swarm of international partners and donors and has put the agriculture sector for the first time in decades on the trajectory of irreversible forward-movement.
Dr. Nuetah has gone to the rudiments of the quagmire that has afflicted agriculture over the decades, insisting on innovation, knowledge attainment and sharing, with an ambitious plan to send out of the country dozens of young technicians and extension officers for study and exposure. “The message was clear,” he always says. “Liberia’s agricultural transformation begins with every seed planted, every innovation embraced, and every partnership forged.” And to the letter, he proceeds, leaving no stone unturned. That message apparently resonates with national and foreign partners including FAO, USAID, IFAD, the World Bank, and ECOWAS who have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting his flagship program, the Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP 2024–2030).His charismas and professional appeal have opened windows of support already from some of those partners who have begun pouring with grants and donations. Just recently, for instance, the UNDP donated 16 motorbikes to the Ministry through its Accelerated Community Development Program (ACDP) to bolster agricultural extension delivery services and capacitating extension teams to provide extensive services to cooperatives and farmers in the country.During the year, which is his first year in office, Dr. Nuetah has attract international support, with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) providing €5 million grant agreement, marking a significant stride in Liberia’s agricultural transformation.
Knowing that access to roads and electricity is critically necessary for a successful agriculture program, he just announced $650,000 project to reconstruct the Fagonda River dam in Kolahun District, Lofa County.
There also is the signing of the revised Financial Agreement on TCEP II extends the TCEP-II by an additional two years to expand coverage to Bong and Nimba counties, improving feeder road infrastructure, for smallholder farmers and supporting smallholder farmers with certified cocoa seeds through the National Cocoa Seed Garden to boost productivity and income.
Everywhere across the 15 countries, particularly the agriculture belt, the handiworks of Minister Nuetah are profoundly engraved, engaging various farmers – be it in rice production, cocoa and coffee, tubers, poultry, piggery and others, providing critical support, impressing upon government and partners to take advantage of the exciting involvement of citizens by doing the needful.
A staff quotes the Minister saying that food security and the overall agriculture crusade would amount to nothing until bureaucrats and technicians leave their desks, move to upcountry to the rural people, acquaint and supply them with modern technology and skills and financially capitalized and create market for them. “Our minister is sleeplessly committed in achieving that, which is why he shows leadership by example, always creating programs for and reaching out to those who matter – the farmers,” said the staff. With a solid National Agriculture Development Plan as his roadmap, at the cost of US$717 million, he said his incumbency strives to remove “constraints that affect our farmers and other value-chain actors including low productivity, poor rural infrastructure that limits access to market, limited access to improved production techniques and postharvest-handling technologies do not only lead to negative climate-change effects but also high postharvest losses, and lack access to affordable credit for value-chain development.”
The fruits are clearly evident in a short while – in just 11 months with a high potential for acceleration and sustenance, eschewing rhetoric and demonstrating passion for work and result; that is why he is THE ANALYST’s Proud 2024 Awardee.
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