By Ballah M. Kollie, LINA MONROVIA, September 21 (LINA) -Agriculture Minister Dr. Moses M. Zinnah has promised to initiate actions that will transform the ministry’s negative image into a positive one. He cited the need for hard work, partnership and collaboration, clear policy dissemination to the public as some of the instruments needed to ensure the ministry’s effectiveness. Speaking at a ceremony marking his takeover of the ministry at the weekend, Zinnah described agriculture as the future of Liberia, noting that the realization of the country’s agriculture goals will reduce poverty as most citizens depend on the sector for livelihood. He indicated that priority will also be given various value chains based on the four pillars of the flagship of the country’s agriculture sector which he named as food and nutrition security, competitive value chains and market linkage institutional development and land and water resources development. The new Agriculture Ministry boss promised to place emphasis on food crop production and processing, placing rice (the country’ staple), cassava and vegetables at the center of all productions. He said a major priority of his tenure will be to work with other ministries, agencies and international partners to unlock the country’s huge agriculture potential. Meanwhile, Zinnah has noted that Africa annually spends around US$35 billion on importation of food stuffs despite the fact that it constitutes 65 percent of arable land in the world. He further disclosed that Liberia spends over US$100million annually on the importation of rice. LINA BMK/TSS/PTK