Liberia: The President needs to know that more than US$30 million was spent to subsidize rice imports rather than investing in agriculture

Published Oct 4, 2022

Tridge summary

The article highlights the critical issue of food insecurity in Liberia, where the government has invested over US$30 million in subsidizing rice imports over the past five years, despite the rising cost of rice nearly tripling and exacerbating poverty. The current administration's strategy has been criticized for failing to promote self-sufficiency in food production and for not addressing the root causes of the problem. The article calls for a change in approach, suggesting that funds allocated for rice subsidies should be redirected towards supporting local farmers and implementing measures to reduce food loss and waste. The piece urges the president to take immediate action to address the rising food prices and the risks of malnutrition and hunger, warning of the potential repercussions if no action is taken.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

.... It is time for President Weah to know that his administration, nearing its sixth year, has spent more than US$30 million in the last five years to subsidize rice imports rather than investing in agriculture to make the country self-sufficient in food production. Is President George Manneh Weah not aware that the price of a 25kg bag of rice has nearly tripled? Is he not aware that such an increase has compounded the misery of millions of Liberians who live in vulnerable homes, facing food insecurity? We ask these questions because the President's only response to the country's ongoing food crisis is a veiled denial that the country's staple food was not in short supply. This is contrary to the evidence on hand which shows that the price of a bag of rice has risen from US$13 to $15 to now US$30. It is even more expensive in rural Liberia, threatening the lives of millions, while the country's most vulnerable do not have the luxury of time. "We need not always listen to the ...

Source: All Africa