Some international investors have expressed interest in doing serious business in the agro subsector of the economy as a way of buttressing the effort of the government to promote and secure self-sufficiency and export oriented based economy thereby contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the country.
The information was made available over the weekend by George Tee Forpoh, PhD, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Regional Development, Research and Extension in an exclusive interview with the Analyst on the outcome of the recent Big Iron Forum held in Fargo , North Dakota, USA where he headed a three man government delegation.
He said as the result of the mission, two groups indicated their keen interest to invest in the agro sector of the economy and will soon be in the country to actualize their desire. He named one of the group as Grow Liberia Inc, a Liberian owned agribusiness venture based in Atlanta, Georgia which is interested in doing business at Puputa, Farmah District, Bong County and will be exploring opportunities in the pineapple value chain while another group, Organic Agric Inc based in Michigan, USA is interested in the climate agriculture organic inputs which include fertilizers, composts etc.
Giving background of the event, Deputy Minister Forpoh, said that Big Iron Farm Show strives to educate farmers and ranchers from around the world with the latest cutting-edge agricultural products , equipment, technology and services. He said the first event was held in 1980 in Casselton, North Dakota, with the idea of showcasing the latest in farm equipment and has since evolved into a bigger showpiece annually hosted for three days to look at agribusiness, health, innovation and technology. He added that despite the COVID pandemic, this event attracted so many people across the world who had an exciting experience to learn and appreciate the level of technological advancement that is taking place in agricultural equipment, technology and innovation.
Deputy Minister Forpoh elaborated that the mission afforded the team an opportunity to present Liberia’s agro sector opportunities such as government’s investors friendly agro policies, land suitability, secured and healthy investment climate through engagements with major stakeholders and radio talk shows, to assess agricultural exhibition for farm operators who are interested in the latest agricultural technologies for any scale agriculture production, to interact with other international guests and share ideas and explore possibility for collaborations and partnership with investors, producers, processors and dealers from across the globe who were at the Big Iron Farm and International Visitors Program.
Asked to give details of the expected outcomes of the conference, Deputy Minister Forpoh said manufacturers of agro equipment, producers of agro chemicals, processors of agro products and dealers of agro equipment were all identified.
“Let me hasten to tell you of the indicators of our achievement at the conference. The international image status of the Ministry of Agriculture improved for possible investment by potential private sector actors, private sector actors identified for potential investment in the Liberian agro sector and partnership coordination improved in the sector specifically with international collaborations and or partnerships”, the tough talking top official of government said.
He said as the result of the mission, two groups indicated their keen interest to invest in the agro sector of the economy and will soon be in the country to actualize their desire. He named one of the group as Grow Liberia Inc, a Liberian owned agribusiness venture based in Atlanta, Georgia which is interested in doing business at Puputa, Farmah District, Bong County and will be exploring opportunities in the pineapple value chain while another group, Organic Agric Inc based in Michigan, USA is interested in the climate agriculture organic inputs which include fertilizers , composts etc.
The delegation also included Mrs. Precious Tetteh, Deputy Minister for Administration and Madam Munah Gmah, Director of Assets at the Ministry of Agriculture.
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