MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Liberian Government is seeking 300 million United States dollars on the sidelines of the ongoing World Food Forum in Rome, Italy, for agricultural investments.

Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah believes such a request, when considered by world leaders and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will revitalize Liberia’s agriculture sector.

In a release issued on Monday, Minister Nuetah also called on FAO to translate Liberia’s agricultural priorities into investment opportunities and expand access to international markets.

He emphasized wants credible investors to support Liberia’s agricultural transformation beyond primary production, through   value addition and post-harvest management.

Minister Nuetah also called for additional support beyond the existing Technical Cooperation Program to expand coffee production, strengthen the supply of quality seedlings, improve processing capacity, and promote Liberica coffee as a distinctive international brand.

The Agriculture Minister re-echoed the Liberian government’s firm commitment to improve food production and reduce rice imports by 2030.

It followed high-level talks between Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Dr. QU Dongyu

In his remarks, Dr. QU thanked Dr. Nuetah for investment ambitions and highlighted opportunities to facilitate connections with financial development institutions and private investors through FAO’s Investment Centre and international partnerships.

Dr. QU at the same time highlighted opportunities to establish commercial partnerships with leading European coffee companies, including Illy and Lavazza, while exploring potential markets in China.

The FAO Director General believes such partnerships will create opportunities for contract farming, processing investments, and reliable market access for Liberian smallholder farmers.

The two leaders’ discussions also focused on efforts to revive Liberia’s most talked-about Liberica coffee industry and position it as a competitive player in the international coffee market.