Published: June 15, 2026
MONROVIA — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. has ordered government institutions to ramp up support for farmers nationwide, warning that Liberia cannot achieve food security, create jobs or cut its reliance on imported food without a sharp rise in domestic agricultural production.
Boakai issued the directive Friday during the seventh cabinet meeting of 2026, held at the Executive Mansion’s Tea House under the theme “Leveraging Agriculture for Growth and Improved Livelihood.” He urged ministries and agencies to put agriculture at the center of the national development agenda and to widen support for farmers through modern farming techniques, technical training and extension services.
The president said Liberia holds enormous agricultural potential but keeps falling short because farmers receive too little support and have access to too few services.
“Agriculture remains one of the most important sectors of our economy,” Boakai told cabinet members. “Our objective must be to ensure that farmers receive the support they need to increase production and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Raising domestic food production, he said, would strengthen food security while also driving economic growth and creating employment for thousands of Liberians. He called on the Ministry of Agriculture to deepen its engagement with farming communities and to report regularly on the production of rice and other staple crops across the country.
Boakai also pressed for an expansion of extension services, saying farmers need the knowledge, tools and technical support to lift productivity and adopt modern practices.
“We must ensure that our farmers have access to the knowledge, tools, and technical support needed to increase production,” he said.
Describing agriculture as a national responsibility, the president said Liberians with access to land can contribute significantly to food production once they are equipped with the right support and expertise. He said investments in agricultural machinery, technical training, planning and extension services would be critical to unlocking the country’s potential and advancing its push toward food self-sufficiency. He further highlighted the need to train more agricultural technicians who can work directly with rural communities to raise yields and strengthen livelihoods.
Beyond agriculture, Boakai renewed his administration’s commitment to keeping Liberia eligible for programs under the Millennium Challenge Corporation. He urged cabinet members and government institutions to stay focused on reforms that promote transparency, accountability, democratic governance and economic freedom, the key indicators used to assess countries seeking MCC partnerships.
Strong performance on the MCC scorecard is vital not only for maintaining eligibility, Boakai said, but also for attracting investment and building confidence in Liberia’s governance systems. He called on public officials to hold to international governance standards while improving service delivery and public sector performance.
The president closed by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities, strengthening public institutions and improving the welfare of Liberians, urging tighter collaboration among ministries and agencies so that development initiatives deliver measurable results across the country.
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