"We will support your effort". FAOR a.i. assures the new Agriculture Minister in the first engagement meeting

Monrovia: The work of the FAO is grounded in giving technical support to governments and all institutions involved in agricultural-related activities. This is important for the sustenance of food security and the improvement of nutrition globally.

Based on this cardinal objective, FAOR a.i. Bintia Stephen Tchicaya pledged the institution’s support to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture and encouraged Minister J. Alexander Nutah to see FAO as a major partner in accomplishing Liberia’s agricultural agenda.

The first meeting with the new agriculture minister was attended by the FAOR a.i. along with six other staff in the country office. Those who attended include:  ECTAD Country Team Leader, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), Mr. Octavius Quarbo, National Project Coordinator & Partnerships Specialist, Emmanuel Kapee, International Laboratory Expert, Ms. Sabenzia N. Wekesa, National Agronomist, Ambrose S. Forpoh, and the Communication Specialist, Jackson P. Foyofayiah

During the meeting, a summary presentation was done by FAO Assistant Representative for Programs, Octavius Quarbo which gave an overview of FAO Projects on Liberia’s food production, livestock, and aquaculture activities.

Following the presentation, Minister Nutah Mr. Quarbo for the presentation and commended the FAO for the support and implementation of several agricultural projects across the country.

He took a key interest in the project that promotes Farmers Field School (FFS). He said by his experience, the setting up of a farmer’s field school has little or no impact on agriculture activities in Liberia. He claimed when these structures (farmers’ field schools) after a project is completed, farmers and others in rural areas who are heavily involved in agriculture activities do not make use of them to improve their capacity for food production.

He said most times, those projects have no impact on the farmers.  The Minister claimed despite the setting up of farmers’ field schools in project areas, most people are still accustomed to the same old way of engaging in farming activities. He claimed the FFs concept doesn’t add value to agricultural activities in Liberia.

The new Liberian agriculture Minister wants a mechanization strategy formulated that will drive the coordination process with the FAO in its technical support to the ministry. He stressed the need for monthly meetings with partner institutions such as the FAO to strengthen coordination and enhance the effective delivery of agricultural programs.

After the minister’s reaction to the presentation, FAOR a.i.  Tchicaya thanked him for his points but stressed that FAO is an honest institution with visible works and impacts. She said FAO is more into giving technical support than overseeing the entire implementation of projects.

With additional information from Mr. Ambrose Forkpoh, who has been one of the leads on FAO projects that support farmer’s field schools, Mrs. TChicaya indicated that FAO farmer’s field school projects are unique and impact base, stressing that, it is not every farmer field school project in Liberia is supported by the FAO.

She then thanked the minister for recognizing FAO’s role as a traditional partner to the Ministry of Agriculture and called on him to not shy away from expressing whatever disenchantments he may have with her in terms of work in the future. She said FAO’s role should be viewed from an institutional position instead of personal relationship which sometimes undermines output in the sector. 

“It is important that we work together. Our support to give all we have technically to help you achieve your desired objectives as a country. We will support your effort in whatever way possible to sustain agrifood transformation in Liberia,” FAOR a.i. added.