Arabfields, Maleeka Kassou, East, West & Central Africa Agriculture Correspondent — Liberian officials have engaged in high-level talks with representatives from Nigeria’s Jigawa State to explore collaborative opportunities in rice production, aiming to strengthen food security and reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imports.

The discussions, held in the capital on April 8, brought together Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture, Alexander Nuetah, and Umar Namadi, the Governor of Jigawa State. Both leaders expressed optimism about the potential for knowledge exchange and joint initiatives that could transform Liberia’s rice sector.

Liberia stands out in West Africa for its high per capita rice consumption, estimated at around 133 kilograms annually. Despite this demand, domestic output has struggled to keep pace, with average paddy production hovering near 287,400 tonnes in recent years and yields remaining low at approximately 1.1 tonnes per hectare. As a result, imports have surged significantly, more than doubling from roughly 286,000 tonnes in 2019 to over 658,000 tonnes by 2023. Many households in rural and urban areas continue to rely on imported rice for daily meals, highlighting the urgency of boosting local supply.

In contrast, Jigawa State has demonstrated notable progress in scaling up rice cultivation. The state accounts for about 3 percent of Nigeria’s total rice-growing area and has recorded a steady increase in output, with paddy production rising 7.56 percent over five years to reach 218,000 tonnes in 2024. Yields there average around 1.67 tonnes per hectare, supported by expanded irrigation, mechanization, and structured farmer support programs.

Minister Nuetah emphasized Liberia’s interest in adopting proven practices from Jigawa, particularly in mechanization, irrigation systems, and organized assistance to smallholder farmers. “Liberia seeks to improve its productivity by learning from Jigawa’s successes in large-scale production and value chain development,” he noted during the meeting, as reported by local media.

The conversations focused on several practical areas of cooperation. Participants examined ways to enhance food security through increased local production, encourage private sector investment, share technical expertise, and potentially establish joint ventures in rice processing and distribution. Such partnerships could help address Liberia’s persistent challenges, including limited infrastructure and post-harvest losses, while building a more resilient agricultural economy.

For Jigawa State, the engagement offers an opportunity to extend its agricultural model across borders. Governor Namadi highlighted his administration’s ambitious targets, including plans to significantly expand cultivated areas and contribute substantially to Nigeria’s overall rice needs in the coming years. The exchange is expected to benefit both sides by fostering regional collaboration in a sector critical to West African stability.

Looking ahead, officials anticipate that these initial discussions could lead to concrete programs by late 2026 or early 2027. Projections based on current trends suggest that successful technology transfer and investment could help Liberia raise its rice yields by 20 to 30 percent within five years, gradually lowering import volumes. Experts foresee that strengthened cooperation might support broader goals of self-sufficiency, with domestic production potentially covering a larger share of national consumption by 2030, assuming sustained policy support and private involvement.

Farmers in Liberia’s key rice-growing regions, such as Bong, Nimba, and Lofa counties, stand to gain from improved seeds, better irrigation, and market linkages. One cooperative leader in Bong County, who participated in related consultations, welcomed the prospect of new techniques, saying it could ease the burden on families who currently spend a significant portion of their income on imported staples.

While no formal agreement has yet been signed, both delegations agreed to continue technical dialogues and explore pilot projects. The initiative aligns with Liberia’s ongoing efforts to modernize agriculture and positions the country to benefit from intra-African partnerships at a time when global supply chains face uncertainty.

This engagement reflects a growing recognition across the region that collaborative approaches offer the most effective path to sustainable food security. As discussions progress, stakeholders will monitor developments closely, with expectations that tangible outcomes could emerge in the months ahead.