During
President George Manneh Weah 2021 State of the Nation address, he repeatedly said
that Agriculture will be his government focus but the 2020-2021 budget says
different.
He
said there is need for a renewed focus on agriculture, as Government is
determined to ensure that Liberia has a vibrant agriculture sector to ensure
food security and sustainable development.
President
Weah said agriculture is an important component of the national development agenda; the Pro Poor Agenda
for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).
“Everyone must go
back to the soil, in order to utilize agriculture as a vital tool for the
revitalization of the economy. We have
the land, we have the labor, and we have the climate. So, let us go back to the soil to grow what
we eat, and eat what we grow, so that we can reduce our dependence on food
imports, create jobs, and increase food security.
“In this regard,
the Ministry of Agricultural will be the focal point to lead and coordinate
this drive that should transform the agricultural landscape in Liberia.
He said the sector
will receive the fullest support from his government.
“This is a task
that is already underway, and which will continue to receive the fullest
support of this Government.
The Liberian leader
boasted that the sector will receive his personal attention and the fullest s
support of Government going forward, so that Liberians will benefit from its
full potential as an engine of development, economic growth, and poverty
reduction.”
The total expenditure
estimate for the 2022 national budget is 785.6 million and Agriculture though
emphasized, its allocation is US 8.5 Million, representing 1.1 percent of the
total expenditure.
