In continuation of the Ministry of Agriculture Decentralization Exercise, two additional integrated decentralized offices have been opened in Lofa and River Gee Counties.

The first office recently dedicated in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County as well as a Technology Transfer Center in District # 3.

The Agriculture Decentralized offices will coordinate all agricultural related activities in the county, reaching out to farmers to enable them become self sufficient in food production.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the decentralized office in Voinjama city on Friday, January 15, 2010, Agriculture Minister Dr. Florence Chenoweth said the government of Liberia is rebuilding the agricultural sector to meet up with twenty first century challenges and as such, the Ministry should be visible and functional in the counties.

She therefore called on development partners in the sector to help with agro machines that are of standard and not outdated.

She said that for the first time in Liberia, there is an increase in rice production and the United States Government has provided funds to purchase Liberian grown rice to feed children in Liberian schools. Beans grown in Liberia and palm oil will also be included in the food basket.

Dr. Chenoweth said we live in a world where one billion people go to bed hungry everyday and it saddens her to know that Liberia is at the bottom of that list.

She acknowledged with appreciation the hard work and productivity of the people of Lofa but however admonished them to do more in vegetable production.

 The Minister challenged them to go into poultry farming so that eggs can be available and affordable for the Liberian people and pledged her support in this endeavor.

Dr. Chenoweth cautioned Lofians not to sell their produce to neighboring Sierra Leone and Guinea but to make sure it stays in Liberia for the greater good of all.

For his part, the Superintendent of Lofa County Hon. Galakpai Kortimai welcomed the Minister and her entourage to Lofa County. He thanked the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture for the office which he said Lofa can be proud of. He said Lofa was known as the bread basket of Liberia and they as citizens of Lofa are doing everything to regain that pre-war status.

During the week-long visit, Dr. Chenoweth toured farms, seed multiplication sites, fish ponds, industrial plants, academic institutions, farming cooperatives and met with chiefs, elders, farmers, women group, local and international NGOs operating  in Lofa, Bong and Margibi counties.

Meanwhile, Hon. Richelieu A. Mitchell, Acting Deputy Agriculture Minister for Research and Extension has formally opened the River Gee Decentralized Office in Fish Town.

He is being accompanied by the Registrar General of the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) Mr. Gibson Tulay to inspect other agricultural projects and programs in the South Eastern region.