Liberia Government (Monrovia)
14 October 2008
The National Traditional Council of Liberia has presented a proposal to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to boost rice production in the country. As part of the proposal, the council has set up a Special Task Force known as the Unity Farm Coordination to mobilize citizens in district headquarters of the 15-political sub-divisions of the country to cultivate at least 250-acres of land for seed rice production.
The objective of the project, the Traditional chiefs say, is to encourage each county district headquarters to organize a central agriculture seed bank for that county. Under the initiative, farmers who may have had poor harvest will receive seed rice at no cost.
An Executive Mansion release quoting the chief says, the nine-month proposed initiative, is in support of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's effort to promote self-sufficiency in food production.
The Chairman of the National Traditional Council of Liberia, Chief Zanzan Karwor, renewed the traditional chief's unflinching support for the President's 'back to the soil,' campaign. Chief Karwor praised the level of recognition the President has accorded the traditional chiefs and elders of the country, and pledged to remain vigilant in promoting the development objectives of government.
The Liberian leader welcomed the proposal and lauded the chiefs for their farsightedness. She assured them that the proposals will be studied within the budgetary framework of government with the aim of identifying resources to jump start the project, estimated at more than US $60-thousand.
The President informed the chiefs that plans have been concluded to rehabilitate roads throughout the country, particularly roads in the South-east of the country including the Fish Town-Harper and the Zwedru Greenville roads. President Sirleaf urged the chiefs to encourage citizens to return to the soil and grow more food, assuring them that government will continue to provide the necessary support to enable them achieve the objective.
Traditional chiefs and elders as well as other county and internal affairs ministry officials witnessed Tuesday's meeting, convened at the request of the country's traditional leaders. The meeting comes in the wake of the prevailing global food crisis and the need for a national strategy to respond to the crisis.
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Now, this is what I call real thinking. It is a surprise to see we Liberian spending money on imported food at a very higher cost when we have one of the best soils and rainy season in Africa. When this idea proposed by the traditional people is put in place, we will be not only able to feed ourselves, but also our neighbours. This plant can and will only be executed when we move from individual farming to collective farming. Less stress, more production. Remember, COURAGE + DETERMINATION = SUCCESS. PEACE!!!