Published: September 29, 2025
MONROVIA – Liberia’s rice farmers are warning that the country’s staple crop will remain vulnerable unless production, processing, and markets are fully linked. The call came during a two-day National Rice Dialogue over the weekend in Monrovia, which brought together farmers, government officials, donors, and private sector actors to discuss the future of Liberia’s rice sector.
Mohammed Kamara, President of the National Rice Federation of Liberia, speaking on behalf of more than 500,000 smallholder harvesters across the country, highlighted persistent challenges that leave farmers producing rice they cannot sell.
“Every additional bag of paddy must have a buyer. Without markets, the farmer loses and the nation loses,” Kamara said.
Production Gaps and Import Dependence
Liberia consumes roughly 650,000 metric tons of rice annually, but produces less than half, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Imports fill the gap, exposing households to international price swings and leaving farmers dependent on middlemen.
Government and donor programs , including subsidized seeds, fertilizers, farmer training, and irrigation support have improved yields in some areas. But Kamara noted that these interventions often fail to link production with processing, storage, finance, or markets. Surplus rice frequently goes unsold or is sold at distress prices, undermining gains.
New Initiatives Spotlighted
The dialogue highlighted the Liberia Legacy Investment Program (LLIP), a US$900 million government initiative prioritizing rice among five critical commodities. LLIP is piloting a bloc farm system, consolidating smallholder plots into mechanized units to achieve economies of scale and reduce production costs.
Additionally, the €34 million Liberia Rice Value Chain Development Project, funded by the EU and European Investment Bank, is rehabilitating feeder roads, irrigation schemes, and milling facilities in Bong, Nimba, and Lofa Counties.
Kamara welcomed the initiatives but emphasized that productivity gains must be paired with functional markets, finance, and off-take arrangements to be sustainable.
Policy and Trade Challenges
Farmers also urged stronger trade protections and called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to coordinate policies that prevent dumping and protect domestic production.
Other key demands included:
– Expanded milling and storage capacities.
– Affordable credit for smallholders and processors.
– Strengthened extension services and mechanization.
The Ministry of Agriculture has pledged to establish a multi-stakeholder coordination platform to track progress, align donor support, and ensure interventions address all points along the rice value chain.
Rice, Livelihoods, and Stability
Rice provides nearly 40 percent of daily calories in Liberia and is vital to national stability. The 1979 rice riot, triggered by price increase, remains a stark reminder of the crop’s importance.
“Rice is stability. Rice is livelihood. Without a functional value chain, there will be no future for Liberia’s rice sector,” Kamara said.
The dialogue ended with a broad agreement aimed at ensuring integrated, value-chain approaches that are critical to achieving rice self-sufficiency and securing Liberia’s food security.
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