The Liberian leader pointed out that the country is endowed with natural resources such as minerals, fisheries, forestry, agricultural land but has relied essentially on the export of iron ore, rubber and logs, through the operations of concession agreements for support to the economy, noting that this will not enhance the government’s reform agenda.

She observed that over time, diversification in Liberia was achieved through the promotion of coffee, cocoa and oil palm, adding, “As a result of the delay in more aggressive and timely action to diversify, the economic shocks of 2013 and 2014 had devastating effects on export earnings and revenue generation."

“In order to mitigate the economic downturn being faced by the country, the government has adopted the Liberia Agricultural Transformation Agenda (LATA) as a framework for deeper diversification and transformation into an agriculture-based economy, moving agricultural operations from subsistence to commercial,” Pres. Sirleaf disclosed.

The Liberian leader made the call in her final State of the Nation address in the Joint Chambers of the National Legislature at the Capitol Building in Monrovia on Monday.

According to President Sirleaf, under the LATA framework, some 450,000 farmers have already been registered, making it the first of its kind in the history of Liberia that the government knows who its farmers are, where they are farming and what they are planting.

She told members of the National Legislature that the next step, which is underway, is the introduction of machinery and new technology that has the potential for agro-processing for export and improving the livelihood of the rural poor.

She explained that early results show a significant increase in the production of basic staples and the development of a nascent agro-industrial sector, operated mainly by women and that further steps aimed at promoting large-scale agriculture operations with investment from the private sector is well underway.
LINA PSN/TSS/PTK