MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Ministry of Agriculture has forecasted that the production of rice by local farmers will increase to forty-five percent in 2005.

Agriculture Minister Alexander Nuetah said:” Currently, the Liberian Government is supporting thousands of local farmers across the country to meet the targeted threshold.”

Dr. Nuetah told a team of reporters over the weekend in Bong Mines that the move is intended to reduce the importation of the country’s staple food.

The agriculture minister disclosed that the Ministry has since written the National Legislature for the increment in the 2025 National Budget, to support local farmers.

Minister Alexander Nuetah, however, charged Liberians to grow more rice as doing so will save the country millions of US Dollars currently used for rice importation.

By: Emmanuel Bondo