By Amos Harris
In a move aimed at enhancing Liberia’s food security and supporting smallholder farmers, the Joseph N. Boakai Foundation (JNBF), a philanthropic organization founded by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has donated a 20-foot container of ROKO Urea fertilizer to the Ministry of Agriculture. Valued at over US$220,000, the consignment is being hailed as a critical and practical intervention to increase crop yields and directly empower farmers.
Liberia’s agriculture sector, which accounts for one-third of the GDP and employs nearly 70% of the population, has long been hampered by low productivity and a heavy reliance on food imports. The nation spends approximately US$300 million annually on imported food, with rice imports alone making up nearly two-thirds of that cost.
The donation was officially presented to the Ministry of Agriculture in a ceremony attended by government officials and farmer representatives. Rev. David Saa Fotorma Jr., Chairman of the JNBF Board, highlighted that the gesture is part of the foundation’s mission to support grassroots development. “This consignment is not charity; it is empowerment,” he stated, emphasizing that farmers are the “backbone of the economy.”
Jackson George, Executive Director of the Foundation, noted that the timing of the donation is strategic, coinciding with the peak of the rainy season, a crucial period for planting. He explained that the fertilizer will be distributed across five designated farming zones, with a focus on creating “resilience and dignity” for farmers.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Solomon C. Hedd-Williams praised the donation, highlighting the efficiency of the ROKO Urea product. He explained that “one bottle of this fertilizer is equivalent to a 50kg NPK bag and can fertilize an acre of farmland.” The minister noted that a single container of ROKO Urea equals seven containers of traditional NPK fertilizer, calling it a “game-changer” for rural farmers who cannot afford expensive imported products.
To ensure transparency and accountability, a joint monitoring team comprising officials from the Ministry, JNBF representatives, and local farmer groups will oversee the distribution. Priority will be given to smallholder farmers, women-led cooperatives, and youth agriculture enterprises. The Ministry has pledged to reserve 30% of the fertilizer for women-led cooperatives and 20% for youth enterprises.
Farmers have expressed optimism about the donation. Martha Kpadeh, a rice farmer from Lofa County, said, “If this fertilizer really works the way the government says, it will change our lives.” However, others, like cassava farmer James Mulbah, urged for fair distribution, citing past instances of mismanagement.
While the donation is a significant step, experts stress that it must be part of a broader national agricultural transformation strategy. Dr. Louise K. Nyan, an agricultural economist, argued that farmers need a comprehensive package that includes access to credit, better seeds, training, and guaranteed markets.
Liberia’s fertilizer use is currently estimated at just 3 kg per hectare, far below the African Union’s target of 50 kg per hectare. The introduction of ROKO Urea, which experts say could increase yields by 30-40%, could be a turning point in boosting crop productivity and economic security.
The donation also highlights the growing role of public-private collaboration in addressing Liberia’s development challenges. The JNBF has a long history of focusing on education, health, and agriculture, and this partnership is seen as a critical model for a government with limited fiscal space. As Ezekiel Kollie, head of the National Farmers Union, noted, “The government cannot do it alone.”
While concerns about transparency remain, with Liberia having a history of mismanaged donations, both the Ministry of Agriculture and the JNBF have committed to tracking the distribution and ensuring accountability. For the thousands of smallholder farmers who will receive the fertilizer, the gesture represents more than just a donation—it symbolizes hope for a better harvest season and a more secure future. Sources
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