AGRICULTURE MINISTER NUETAH LAUNCHES 100-ACRE RICE HARVEST IN BONG AS LOCAL AGRIBUSINESS EYES 1,500-ACRE EXPANSION
KPATAWEE, BONG COUNTY | October 31, 2026 — Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has officially launched the harvesting of 100 acres of rice at Kpatawee Waterfall in Bong County, as Gbedin Agro-Business Incorporated moves to expand production and increase the supply of locally grown rice.
Amid a rousing welcome from residents of Kpatawee and surrounding communities, Minister Nuetah joined the company's management and local farmers at the rice field to witness the start of harvesting, an occasion that highlighted growing community participation in agricultural production.
The company, which began cultivation at the site in June 2026, projects a harvest of approximately 120 metric tons of rice and plans to expand its Kpatawee operation to 1,500 acres, subject to securing additional machinery and processing equipment.
The harvest comes a day after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., presided over the official handover of over 300 pieces of agricultural machinery and equipment donated by the Government of the People's Republic of China to boost domestic food production.
Minister Nuetah commended the company's investment, highlighting the importance of private sector participation in strengthening Liberia's agricultural production.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Agriculture supported the farm with agricultural inputs, including fertilizers and agrochemicals, and deployed a combine harvester to reduce harvesting costs. The machine is expected to remain on-site for two to three weeks.
"I think the agriculture sector is making great progress. You know, every system needs a foundation. This government has been committed to making a firm foundation for the development of the agriculture sector," Minister Nuetah stated.
He emphasized that mechanization remains central to the Government's efforts to expand cultivation, increase productivity, and achieve food self-sufficiency.
"Our message out there to the Liberian people is to get back to the soil. Let's scale up production," he urged.
The Minister stressed that the availability of agricultural machinery must be matched by farmers' willingness to cultivate more land and increase food production.
"We want Liberians to see that as an impetus, to be a motivation for them to go and do serious work. Let them find their fields, and we will support them to cultivate. Let them take advantage of the machines here and grow more to feed the nation. Only by scaling up production can Liberia feed itself. That's our message to them," Minister Nuetah emphasized.
Gbedin Agro-Business Incorporated already operates a 250-acre lowland rice farm in Gbedi, Nimba County, from which its existing Gbedin Rice brand takes its name. The company now plans to introduce Kpatawee Rice as an additional locally produced brand.
Mr. Harry Kerkula, Project Manager of Gbedin Agro-Business Incorporated, expressed satisfaction with the harvest, noting that the local community made the land available for the 100-acre farm.
"We want to encourage farmers in this country to get into local rice production, at least to help supply the country with locally grown rice," Mr. Kerkula said.
He disclosed plans to make a portion of the harvested rice available to cooperating farmers while processing and marketing the remainder.
Mr. Kerkula said the company's proposed expansion to 1,500 acres would require additional tractors, power tillers, and rice-processing equipment, including a machine capable of processing at least 10 metric tons daily.
"We have the strength if we get the equipment. We have three tractors already," he stated.
He thanked the Ministry for its support and encouraged more Liberians to invest in rice production to help reduce the country's dependence on imports.
The Kpatawee harvest highlights the growing role of private agribusinesses in advancing the Government's agricultural mechanization and food self-sufficiency agenda.
