Published: March 18, 2026
TUGBAHKLEE, Grand Kru County — Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has wrapped up a regional assessment tour of southeastern Liberia, unveiling a slate of initiatives to expand coconut production, boost rice farming and develop livestock in rural communities.
The tour, which began in Grand Bassa and moved through River Cess and Sinoe before concluding in Grand Kru, forms part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s effort to deepen engagement with farmers and identify practical interventions to raise productivity.
In one of the tour’s final stops, residents of Tugbahklee in Pinicess pledged more than 50 acres of land for a proposed dwarf coconut plantation, a signal of growing local buy-in for the government’s push to revive Liberia’s coconut sector.
The pledge followed consultations between the minister, local leaders and farmers on opportunities to scale up agricultural production across the Southeast, where soil and climate conditions are considered favorable for tree crops and staple farming.
Minister Nuetah said the government plans to establish coconut seed gardens in key counties to produce improved seedlings for distribution to farmers. The initiative will prioritize dwarf coconut varieties, which mature faster and yield more than traditional trees.
“These seed gardens will allow farmers to access quality seedlings and expand their farms,” Nuetah said. “Our aim is to see plantations across the Southeast and position the region as a hub for coconut production.”
Seedlings will initially be sourced from a government-run nursery in River Cess County, with future planting materials generated from the new plantations once they mature.
Officials say the expansion could open new income streams for farmers while contributing to rural economic growth.
Residents in Tugbahklee welcomed the initiative, with 81-year-old Peter S.N. Gipply describing the visit as unprecedented.
“This is my first time seeing a sitting agriculture minister come and sit with his people to listen to their challenges and make plans,” Gipply said.
Community members, however, underscored persistent barriers to growth, including poor road access, lack of farming equipment and limited technical support, constraints they say must be addressed for production to scale.
Minister Nuetah acknowledged the challenges and urged farmers to take advantage of the region’s natural endowments while the government works to improve support systems.
“We cannot do anything without agriculture or producing our own food,” he said. “If we grow more of what we eat, we will reduce the amount of money spent on imports.”
The minister also renewed emphasis on rice production, calling it central to national food security. He encouraged farmers to integrate coconut cultivation with lowland rice farming to maximize land use.
“Rice is central to our daily meals. We must produce more of it here at home,” he said.
Beyond crops, local officials highlighted opportunities for livestock development, particularly in savannah areas across Grand Kru. The county superintendent pointed to large tracts of land suitable for cattle and other livestock farming.
Minister Nuetah confirmed that the government is considering launching a dedicated livestock development program for southeastern Liberia, aimed at increasing meat production and diversifying farmers’ incomes.
“Next year we expect to roll out a livestock project in the Southeast,” he said. “The land here is suitable, and we want to help communities develop that potential.”
Across earlier stops in Grand Bassa, River Cess and Sinoe, farmers raised concerns about market access, high input costs and poor feeder roads, long-standing constraints that continue to limit agricultural output.
Minister Nuetah said addressing those gaps will require coordinated action between the government, development partners, and farming communities.
“If we cannot feed ourselves as a nation, we cannot blame anybody,” he said. “It means we are not using the resources we have.”
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