MONROVIA, The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with Société de Cooperation Pour le Development Internationale (SOCODEDVI) of Quebec, Canada, will host the Second National Roundtable Conference on updating the Cooperative Laws and Restructuring and Rehabilitation of the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) in Liberia.
How to Protect Your Poultry against Bird Flu Disease
Published: 19 June, 2008
What Is Bird Flu Disease? Bird Flu is a virus disease that can attack all types of birds. This disease can spread quickly and cause sudden deaths in large numbers of birds such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, quails, pet birds and wild birds. Even though it is mostly a bird disease, it can also infect pigs, horses, dogs and cats. Humans can also get bird flu disease, but this is rare.
A rural agricultural extension expert has advanced several recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture aimed at improving the nation's food production.
FAO National Consultant, J. Kanie Merfee, share experiences on a demonstration rice plot with a female farmer about scaring birds with bells and flash tapes
Pests: Impediment to Farmers' Progress
Published: 12 June, 2008
The alarming incidence of pests and their impact on farmers' fields throughout Liberia constitute a daunting task for the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as the 2006/2007 cropping season was in sight.
So as not to miss a single word from a telephone message, usually, the Observer Farmer presses his mobile phone close to his ear; just as it was this time.
ADRA Engages in Food Security
Published: 03 June, 2008
Paulo Lutke ADRA Country Director
LOFA COUNTY, In the midst of the looming worldwide food crisis, the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) has pumped in 500,000 Euros toward food security and recovery programs in Lofa County, Northern Liberia.
Rabbit is an animal that weighs between 2.5 to 5.5 kg liveweight. Soft and brilliant coat and continuous movements of the nose are signs of good health.
Govt, UN to Invest Huge Agriculture Programs in Nimba
Published: 29 May, 2008
Dr. Hammond, FAO Country Director
The Liberian Government and its United Nations (UN) partners have chosen Nimba County for its vast land and large population to invest in agriculture program.
The day that the rice needs to grow from sowing to ripening is the growth duration of rice. The period from seed germination to transplanting is rice nursery period, and the period from transplanting to ripening is the main field period.
Dr. Toe: 'It's time for action' Photo by A. M. Johnson
At Food Security Meeting in Gbarnga
Published: 19 May, 2008
GBARNGA, BONG COUNTY, The Government of Liberia (GOL), through the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), over the weekend held a mass meeting with farmers from around the country on how the nation can sustain itself and be self-sufficient in its staple food, rice, in the wake of rising price of the commodity on the world market.
Establishment of High Yield Rice Plant Group
Published: 15 May, 2008
There are three factors for getting high-yield rice production. These factors are the number of panicles, number of grains of each panicle and 1,000-grain weight.
25,000 Farmers to Receive Seed Rice
Published: 15 May, 2008
Deputy Agriculture Minister for Administration Borkai Sirleaf
MONROVIA, In a bid to curb rising food insecurity in the country, Deputy Agriculture Minister for Administration, Borkai Sirleaf, has disclosed that the Liberian Government will soon begin the distribution of several metric tons of seed rice to farmers in the country.
Theory and Practice of Hybrid Rice Cultivation Technology
Published: 08 May, 2008
The theory of advanced hybrid rice cultivation technology for high yield develops from the cultivation of inbreed rice, including raising strong seedling with more tillers, proper transplanting density in the main field, the vegetative growing in coordination with productive growing and good field management (water and fertilizer management, pet and disease control).
VP Boakai Dedicates Vet Lab
Published: 30 April, 2008
Vice-President Boakai makes remarks at the ceremony
MONROVIA, A veterinary diagnostic laboratory (VDL) valued at US$300,000 was last week inaugurated and handed over to the Liberian Government on the University of Liberia's Fendell campus outside Monrovia.
Morphology of the Rice Plant
Published: 24 April, 2008
The Asian rice plant, Oryza Sativa, is an annual grass with vegetable parts, culm and leaves forming a tiller. At maturity, it may not produce an inflorescence called a panicle; the panicle bears the spikelets which are the part of rice that forms seeds.
20 Rural Women Undergo Agro-processing Skills
Published: 17 April, 2008
The Ministry of Gender and Development (MGD) in collaboration with the UN-Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) last week opened a 10-day intensive training for 20 rural women in Bentol City, Montserrado County.
20 Rural Women Undergo Agro-processing Skills
Published: 17 April, 2008
The Ministry of Gender and Development (MGD) in collaboration with the UN-Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) last week opened a 10-day intensive training for 20 rural women in Bentol City, Montserrado County.
The most effective method of feeding with respect to location, time of day and frequency varies from species to species. A number of basic rules suggested by fish farming specialists are as follow:
Decentralize Agriculture, CARI
Published: 01 April, 2008
Farmers across the country are opting for the decentralization of the Ministry of Agriculture and the revitalization of regional agriculture projects which were once active in some counties.
plans are also afoot toward improving and Dr.Toe:'Maximizing the production of cassava, the nation's second most important food crop.'
Photo By A.M.Johnson
Rice Self-sufficiency Is GOL's Goal
Published: 31 March, 2008
MONROVIA, The Ministry of Agriculture has begun negotiations with three major companies, including some from the People's Republic of China, toward the large-scale commercial production of rice. The plan is for these companies to work closely with Liberian small farmers, to ensure success of the Government's objective to make Liberia self-sufficient in its staple food.
Fish farming is a principal form of aquaculture. It involves raising fish commercially in ponds or enclosures, usually for food. Fish species raised in Liberia include mostly catfish and tilapia.
Agriculture Policy Should Support Private Sector
Published: 27 March, 2008
Agriculture Minister Dr. Chris Toe
MONROVIA, Agriculture Minister Dr. Chris Toe has disclosed that increase in production is the key policy in focusing and encouraging the private sector in the field of agriculture.
New Agric. Extension Methodology in Liberia
Published: 20 March, 2008
Probably in Liberia's existence, no other issue has been perplexingly and persistently discussed as the question of producing adequate food to feed the nation. For over 100 years, the Government, groups, and individuals, especially peasant farmers all around Liberia, have pondered over the issue.
LPMC/MercyCorps Provide 3,500 Cocoa Seedlings to Farmers
Published: 18 March, 2008
Some of the seedlings to be distributed
The Liberian Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC), in collaboration with MercyCrops Liberia, will shortly begin the distribution of about 3,500 cocoa seedlings to farmers in Compound # 2, Grand Bassa County.
Findings have shown, for example, that 35 percent of zoo females fail to breed and that 15 to 25 percent of Asian elephant calves are stillborn.
Zoo Life Shortens Elephant Lives in Europe, Study Says
Published: 13 March, 2008
Elephants have lived in captivity for more than 4,000 years, many of them held in zoos and circuses worldwide. Captive elephants are also used in some Asian countries for timber-logging and in religious ceremonies.
Young Liberians engaged in fabricating agro-equipment
FAO Gives US$400,000 to Liberian Blacksmiths
Published: 06 March, 2008
Following an intensive two-month advanced training in fabrication of agro-processing equipment, over 40 Liberian blacksmiths have been awarded contracts by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to produce 437 agro-processing equipment valued at US$372,500.
Seasonal Activity of a Snail
Published: 07 February, 2008
Apart from appropriate periods when it is active, snail presents and withdraws into its shell (hibernation). To do this, it digs a hole in the ground, stays there with the shell opening placed right up and withdrawing entirely into its shell. Afterwards, it secrets a mucous film, which hardens and turns white (chalky epiphragm), also called Opercule. During hibernation all the metabolism is retarded. It lives on its reserves (it emaciates) at spring. It recovers quickly the lost reserves.
Farming, fishing and hunting have been the major traditional providers of food in Africa. Unlike hunting for other wildlife, the emphasis on snails is lesser, more remote or even absent. However, just as mushrooms, snails are picked in the wild mostly by women and children.
Gbadin Agriculture Project in Nimba County has received some farming equipment from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to enhance the capacity of their work.
In countries where the climate is hot but fairly constant (mean minimum and maximum between 20 and 30 degrees centigrade) closed buildings are not really necessary. All that is needed is to protect the rabbits against the weather. If the cages are of wood or concrete (solid walls), it may be enough to roof each hutch, as shown in the figure above. A roof should keep off rain and also heat from direct sunlight. The hutches can also be placed under trees big enough to shade them all day long. A roof should overhang enough to keep water out on rainy and windy days. The hutches should be placed facing way from the prevailing winds.
Introduce 'Advanced' Methods in Rice Production
Published: 14 January, 2008
MONROVIA, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has called on the Ministry of Agriculture together with its international partners, particularly the People's Republic of China (PRC), to help introduce modern methods of farming, with special emphasis on rice production, in the country.
Rabbit is an animal that weighs between 2.5 to 5.5 kg liveweight. Soft and brilliant coat and continuous movements of the nose are signs of good health.
Management of Different Classes of Pigs
Published: 27 December, 2007
Management of Piglets Piglets are young pigs that depend on the sow's milk as their principal source of feeding. Pigs that are from one day to six weeks or eight weeks old, depending on the duration of the weaning period, fall within this category. They require extreme carefulness around their period so that they can survive and perform adequately. Areas to be taken care of include cleaning, disinfecting and cutting of their umbilical cords shortly after farrowing. Cut their canine teeth 1 to 3 days after farrowing. Supply them with artificial source of heat during the first three days of their life. Give them iron injection three days after parturition. This may, however, not be necessary where pigs are raised on uncemented floor with access to red soil and finally give them preventive medication against collibacilosis and treating such case whenever they occur.
Control and Prevention of Diseases And Parasites of Pigs
Published: 20 December, 2007
Diseases and parasites are facts of life. There are so many diseases and parasites that affect pigs but it may not be very easy to delve into all of them. It is enough to look at those ones that are encountered in the day-to-day running of a pig enterprise.
Biawogi Is Leading Farmer
Published: 05 December, 2007
Mr. Biawogi
The man considered Liberia's leading farmer, Flomo Biawogi, says his over 1,052 acres of rice farm cultivated in Lofa County produced over 400,000 metric tonnes of the nation's stable food.
Best farmer Tarnue B. Korvah celebrates with President Sirleaf after winning the prize photo Edwin M. Fayia, III
Agriculture Fair Ends in Pomp, Pageantry
Published: 04 December, 2007
The scene of the National Agriculture Fair held from November 29, 2007 to December 1, 2007 at Tubmanburg, Bomi County, was indeed full of pomp and pageantry with scores of farmers and Liberians in attendance.
BOMI COUNTY, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has urged every Liberian including farmers to strive for self-sufficiency in food production by 'investing in the soil'.
Human beings have kept bees for the production and harvest of honey since 4,000BC. In past societies, honey was of great importance, particularly for its medicinal purposes. It was believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac and a valuable antibacterial wound dressing. Today, honey is produced in almost every country of the world.
In an irrigated system, it is not only ordinary water that is used for irrigation. It is to be noted that in this system, there are usually no septic tanks constructed within the place. All the sewage systems are channeled into basins about four feet deep.
FAO Poultry Project in Lofa Re-visited
Published: 06 November, 2007
In response to the story captioned “FAO Poultry Projects Fails” published in the Daily Observer newspaper on October 18, 2007, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Liberia would like first to thank the paper for the concern expressed through the article. However, we wish if the paper had sought facts verification from FAO office in Monrovia, it would have helped in clearing the confusion and producing a balanced story.
The Government of Liberia has launched the National Agriculture Fair (NAF) for 2007 and declared this year October 16 World Food Day Program, to be celebrated in Bensonville city, Montserrado County.
Stimulation of Grasscutter This is carried out in three different parts of the animal's body. This is the first place to be stimulated. You have to open the palm of your right hand, then put its second and third fingers beneath the tail of the animal, above its anus until the testicles are between these two fingers. Now, very slowly, begin to massage by rubbing this area back and front. As you are doing this, you will observe the animal will gradually begin to cool down. It will no longer be struggling to free itself. When it becomes totally quiet, you proceed to the next area, which is the abdomen directly in front of the hind leg. Note that if you waste time or begin the second area with force, you can waken the animal from this seeming stupor, in which case you have to begin afresh from around the testicles. As already said, this is the next place to be stimulated.
China Ready to Send More Farmers to Africa
Published: 11 October, 2007
MONROVIA, China is preparing to send more farmers to Africa as rural laborers find it increasingly difficult to find jobs in the nation's urban centers, Associated Press reported.
Grasscutter Handling: Unlike many other animals, grasscutter is not handled anyhow. There is a special way of handling or lifting her up for the purposes of checking the gestation, the weight, or during transfer from one pen to another. This is called manipulation. The first area is by the tail. It is to be noted immediately that it is not anywhere by the tail but just a little bit above where the tail joins with the hip, about 2cm from the hip area. It should not be close to the hip or too far away from it. Anywhere too far or too near can very easily result in the cutting-off of the tail.
Grasscutter or Groundhog as it is popularly known in Liberia is another area of study by 30 Liberians, 8 females and 22 males who underwent a two-month training course recently at the Centre Songhai in the Republic of Benin. First, in the series of four, we will be discussing the housing, feeding, maintenance and management techniques of the animal.
Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer in Vegetable Production
Published: 20 September, 2007
Introduction Based on the extent of damage and geographic distinction within Asia and Africa, eggplant fruits and shoot borer is by far the most important pest followed by cotton leafhopper and epilachna beetle.
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Published: 13 September, 2007
Quite recently, a Liberian delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture which was led by Madam Lwopu Kandakai; Deputy Agriculture Minister for the Department of Regional Development, Research and Extension, and others represented Liberia in Madrid, Spain, at the First Meeting of the Governing Body on The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Okra, which is probably of African origin, is now grown throughout the tropics and parts of the sub-tropics. In Liberia it is cultivated on almost every farm.
The right to food is the inherent human right of every woman, man, girl and boy, wherever they live on this planet. The choice of “The Right to Food”, as the theme for 2007 World Food Day and TeleFood demonstrates increasing recognition by the international community of the important role of human rights in eradicating hunger and poverty, and hastening and deepening the sustainable development process.
FROM BASSA AND RIVERCESS ODAFARA GRADUATES 342 IN FISHERIES AND OTHER TRADE AREAS
Published: 02 August, 2007
The Organization for the Development of agriculture and Farmers' Related Association (ODAFRA) has been contributing immensely to the recovery process in post-war Liberia by implementing several agricultural and related development projects among which is the Rehabilitation of Artisan Program (RAP) with support from LCIP/USAID/DFID/DAI.
Mrs. Kandakai (left) hands tools kit to participant, right, government officials and workshop participants in a group picture
28 Trained in Agricultural Extension Methodology
Published: 19 July, 2007
“No matter the weather rain or sun, agriculture must go on; because it is our heritage,” said a participant of the just ended agricultural extension methodology workshop under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Agriculture and the German Agro Action (GAA).
Farmers receiving rice seeds from a distribution point in Grand Cape Mount County
Rice Seeds for Over 100,000 Families
Published: 18 July, 2007
GBARNGA, BONG COUNTY, The largest rice seed distribution exercise in recent times ended recently with 101,400 farming families throughout the country receiving 2,608 metric tons of high yielding rice seeds. Experts say the seeds are suitable for both upland and lowland ecologies.
(l-r) Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Chris Toe and Dr. J. Qwelibo Subah, Director General of CARI
Dr. J. Qwelibo Subah: My Vision for CARI
Published: 12 July, 2007
Working to transform Liberian Agriculture into Business”, is the Mission Statement, says Dr. J. Qwelibo Subah; the newly appointed Director General for the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI).
