President George Manneh Weah has said his government is of the strongest conviction that the most effective means to reduce poverty in Liberia is by developing the nation’s agricultural potentials – LINA.
According to him, Liberia sees agriculture in all its many variations as a ready and lasting solution to the high rate of youth unemployment.
Weah noted that through the participation of young citizens in the development of Liberia’s agricultural sector, they will acquire marketable skills and entrepreneurial training that would enable them to become productive citizens, thereby allowing them to be either gainfully employed or self-employed.
The Liberian leader made the comments on Tuesday when he addressed Officers, Directors and other members of the Israeli government at the MASHAV Agricultural Training Center in Israel.
“In this regard,” he added, “Liberia seeks your collaboration and support, for the purpose of introducing modern technologies and agro-technical methods in our country. Such knowledge and skills transfer would increase the levels and quality of agricultural production, and ensure food security and sustainable development,” Weah said.
He expressed Liberia’s desire to benefit from agro-financing to the private sector, in major priority commodities such as rice, cocoa, coffee and oil palm, among others.
While acknowledging that MASHAV is already involved in various aspects of agricultural development in Liberia, the Liberian leader, however, proposed the formal establishment of a Liberia-Israel Center for Agricultural Training in Liberia.
“This project would aim to establish extension and training centers in agriculture and allied fields in Liberia that will promote farm productivity, profitability, and sustainability, thereby contributing to the betterment of living standards of our citizens and their communities,” he noted.
Speaking on his development agenda, the Liberian leader informed the forum that as part of efforts to address major challenges, his Administration has developed a National Development Plan, which was launched last November as the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).
He said the major pillars and objectives of the PAPD are to give power to the people; create jobs and improve the economy, and sustain the peace through good governance and transparency.
“Under the PAPD, we intend to lift at least one million of our citizens, or 20% of our population, from poverty by the year 2023,” Weah stated.
According to him, the two main strategic drivers under the PAPD are infrastructure development through road connectivity; and agriculture, adding that Liberia is a nation which is blessed with a small population (4.6 million people), a significant endowment of natural resources; and one of the highest rainfalls in the world.
He then applauded the people of Israel for their kind hospitality, and the presentations they have made concerning their vision and structure in partnering for a better world.
Weah noted that the Government of Liberia looks forward to an immediate engagement and close collaboration with Israel in developing a partnership for the mutual benefit of the people of the two nations.