(MONROVIA, May 7, 2008): President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has held the first in a series of consultative meetings with stakeholders, geared towards developing a national food policy. The meeting also sought to solicit feedback on the way forward, both in the short and long terms. 

An Executive Mansion release says President Johnson Sirleaf informed the gathering that the looming global food crisis affects specific commodities, including the nation’s staple food, rice. She expressed Government’s concern about the need to find domestic solutions to the global problem. The Liberian leader further expressed concern about the availability of rice on the local market. The President reiterated that a long-term solution lies in the increase of domestic production. 

For their part, the stakeholders offered Government a wide range of suggestions which they believe could help address the situation if implemented successfully. They complained about the difficulties faced by business people in transactions at the Freeport of Monrovia. The stakeholders also called for a continuous campaign by Government to encourage Liberians to begin making gardens in their backyards. The stakeholders also said there is a need for well structured approaches towards finding short and long-term solutions. The possibility of compelling logging companies to organize farms during their operations was also suggested.  

The stakeholders also spoke of the need for Government to subsidize rice for a year while a massive national planting exercise is carried out during the period.  The need for Liberians to find other staples apart from rice was also advanced by the stakeholders, as a means to counter the looming food crisis. They also stressed the need to promote food security as a business enterprise. As a means of attracting more students to agricultural production, the stakeholders suggested that scholarships be offered by Government to study agriculture in high schools and tertiary institutions.  

The two-hour long meeting, called by the Liberian Chief Executive, was held Wednesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It brought together other Government officials, including Vice President Joseph Boakai; Cabinet Ministers; heads of political parties; as well as the President and executive members of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce and the Liberia Business Association. Heads of political parties present included Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh of the Alliance for Peace and Democracy (APD); Mr. David Farhat of the Free Democratic Party (FDP); Mr. Alhaji G.V. Kromah of the All Liberia Coalition Party (ALCOP); Mr. Isaac Manneh of the Liberia Unification Party (LUP); Mr. Peter Vuku of the True Whig Party (TWP); and Dr. Charles Clarke of the Unity Party (UP). 

More broad-based consultations with stakeholders have been scheduled by the President in the coming weeks and months.

Partial view of stakeholders who met with the president  PHOTO: Executive Mansion

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