For years, Lofa, Nimba and Bong Counties have been recognized as the breadbasket of Liberia. The three account for about 60 percent of local food production in the country. But a shift has emerged – with booming rice production in the Southeastern part of the country.
Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture Dr. Florence Chenoweth says, the production of the nation’s staple crop rice, is increasing in the southeastern region amidst the Ebola crisis. The Minister made the disclosure, when she addressed the Ministry of Information weekly press briefing on the impact of the Ebola outbreak in agriculture activity and food security in the country. She told newsmen that the increase is due to the development of lowland or paddy rice fields in Maryland and Grand Kru Counties, and dams that have been built by the Ministry of Agriculture and its partners.
Minister Chenoweth, also paid tribute to local farmers for their hard work and perseverance, as they brave the storm to supply the market with fresh vegetables, fruits and other local food produce, despite the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.
She went on to say, contrary to conjecture, that most produce, especially vegetables and fruits on the Liberian market, are imported from neighboring countries, is undoubtedly a misconception.