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Home Editorial

Mr. President, Slashing the Agriculture Budget Undermines Your Development Agenda

by The Liberian Investigator
August 22, 2024
in Editorial
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
EPS agents unjustly fired, rights trampled

We at The Liberian Investigator believe that the Joseph Boakai-led government has committed a grave miscalculation by slashing the agriculture budget in the recast national budget, reducing it from $8.8 million to $6.7 million—a staggering cut of $2.1 million. For a government that has repeatedly declared agriculture as the number one priority on its ARREST Agenda, we see this move as devastatingly short-sighted. Agriculture is the bedrock of sustainable development, and for Liberia—a nation blessed with fertile lands and a predominantly agrarian population—cutting funding to this critical sector is a direct threat to our national prosperity.

President Boakai’s over 40-year public service record is intertwined with agriculture, a sector he knows all too well. It is bewildering, therefore, that under his leadership, such a drastic reduction in the agriculture budget is allowed. The question is: What does this say about the government’s priorities? Is fiscal austerity being used as an excuse to neglect a sector that could be Liberia’s economic savior? If this government genuinely seeks to develop the nation, how can it justify sacrificing agriculture, which has the potential to drive growth, create jobs, and ensure food security?

The government’s decision to slash the agriculture budget by $2.1 million contradicts its public statements and puts into question the sincerity of its ARREST Agenda. This is a sector that desperately needs investment, not cuts. Farmers in rural communities, who already face challenges like poor infrastructure, lack of inputs, and limited access to markets, are now being told through this budget cut that their struggles are not a priority. Instead of empowering the very people who could drive economic transformation, the government has chosen to undermine their progress.

President Boakai cannot afford to treat agriculture as just another budget line. It should be the cornerstone of Liberia’s economic strategy, especially in a country where the majority of the population depends on farming for their livelihood. By cutting the agriculture budget, the government risks deepening rural poverty, increasing food insecurity, and missing a golden opportunity to reduce our dependency on costly imports.

It is also worth noting that while agriculture faces cuts, other sectors received boosts. Public administration saw its budget increase from $256.7 million to $266.6 million, and funding for security and debt management was prioritized. The message is clear: The government would rather fund bureaucracy and pay down debt than invest in the very sector that could unlock long-term economic growth and stability. This decision demonstrates a troubling disconnection between the government’s rhetoric and its actions.

The $2.1 million variance in the agriculture budget may seem minor to some, but its impact on smallholder farmers, food security initiatives, and rural development projects is substantial. This cut not only limits the reach of agricultural programs but also jeopardizes the potential for expanding market access, improving productivity, and building essential farm-to-market infrastructure. In a nation struggling with food insecurity and unemployment, this is nothing short of a betrayal of Liberia’s future.

President Boakai, it’s time to walk the talk. If agriculture is truly the “number one priority” as your government claims, then the budget must reflect that commitment. The ARREST Agenda cannot just be a slogan; it must be backed by real financial investment and strategic planning. Liberia cannot afford to let agriculture wither on the vine due to political indifference.

The road to economic recovery and sustainable development runs through the farms, fields, and rural communities of Liberia. By restoring and increasing funding to the agriculture sector, the government can demonstrate that it is serious about empowering its people, driving growth, and building a self-sufficient nation. The time to act is now—before this budget decision takes an irreversible toll on the future of our country.

Tags: AgricultureLiberianational budget
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