Africa-Press – Liberia. Liberia is set to take a major step toward achieving food self-sufficiency as the government signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Uniland Group of Companies of Vietnam to establish a pilot rice farm in Bong County.
The initiative, led locally by Uniland’s subsidiary Unifarm Liberia, aims to leverage advanced Vietnamese agricultural technology to increase rice production, reduce import dependence, and potentially position Liberia as a rice exporter.
The pilot project, covering 50 hectares, will mark the beginning of a broader strategy to scale up rice cultivation across the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony over the weekend, Unifarm Managing Director Peter Edward Dinning expressed excitement at the partnership. “The first crop is expected to be planted by May next year, and the necessary equipment will arrive in Liberia within 45 days from the signing of this MOU,” he said.
Dinning highlighted that the project is designed to create jobs, transfer technology, and increase local rice production. “Using Vietnamese technology, the harvest could be ready within three months of planting the first crop,” he noted.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah welcomed the development, emphasizing the benefits of technology transfer, capacity building, and job creation for local farmers.
“The Company is going to bring in Vietnamese technology to support rice production. They will replicate that in other counties or locations where rice production is high,” Minister Nuetah explained. “We are providing land for Unifarm to produce rice for the market, and when scaling up is necessary for commercial purposes, both for the Liberian and international markets, that will happen.”
The Minister described the project as a key component of the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which prioritizes food self-sufficiency and the reduction of Liberia’s reliance on imported staple foods. “Rice is our major staple. Under our national development plan, we have targeted cultivating 50,000 hectares, including 2,000 hectares for high-yielding varieties. The technology coming from Vietnam, capable of producing over five metric tons per hectare, could be a game-changer,” he said.
While the monetary value of the investment has not been disclosed, Minister Nuetah emphasized that the focus is on technology, productivity, and job creation. “It’s about transferring knowledge and creating employment opportunities. Hopefully by May next year, we should be able to get the first production up. The equipment is already scheduled to arrive in 45 days,” he added.
Negotiations for the project began in March 2025, and the Minister praised both Liberian and Vietnamese partners for their collaboration. “We welcome any well-intentioned investor interested in contributing to our agriculture sector. This project will help Liberia move toward self-sufficiency in rice production and deliver on President Joseph Boakai’s vision under the ARREST Agenda,” Minister Nuetah said.
The Unifarm Liberia pilot rice farm represents a milestone in Liberia’s agricultural development, signaling a forward-looking partnership that combines foreign expertise with local capacity building, promising a significant boost to the nation’s food security landscape.
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