Liberian Farmers Use SMS to Get Better Price
Published: 20 November, 2008
Farmers in Liberia can now access market pricing information through SMS on their mobile phones. Agricultural Market Information and Linkage System (AMILS) was launched this week by Agro, Inc., a regional agribusiness specializing in linking farmers to markets. AMILS was designed to make agricultural markets work better for Liberian farmers, specifically targeting smallholder farmers in often isolated rural areas.
Rice harvest was launched on more than 30 acres of lowland by a non-governmental organization (NGO), the Organization for the Development of Agriculture and Farmers Related Association (ODAFARA), through its Agriculture Production and Marketing (APROMA) Project.
Agriculture Boosted in Gbarpolu
Published: 22 October, 2008
Senator Daniel F. Naathern
Citizens of Gbarpolu County, formerly Lower Lofa, may no longer depend on imported food, particularly rice, because the citizens have resumed aggressive food and cash crop production in the county.
Enriched Compost for Higher Yields
Published: 16 October, 2008
In most countries, if not all including Liberia in Africa, reduced soil fertility has led to declining crop yields on many small-scale farms causing food insecurity and greater poverty. In some parts of the continent, soils are generally low in nitrogen and phosphorus which are essential for crops to grow well. Soil fertility can be increased by use of chemical fertilizers but these are too expensive for many farmers and are not always available. A more affordable alternative is to make your own good-quality compost using waste materials from your farm and household.
Bassa Senator Invests US$50,000 in Rice, Rubber Farming
Published: 09 October, 2008
Senator Findley in a chat with reporters on his farm
Senior Senator Gbehzongar Findley of Grand Bassa County says realistic investment in agriculture will enhance dynamic economic, social and infrastructure development in Liberia.
Throughout the world, including Liberia, pressure on land is increasing. Average farm size is decreasing as plots are sub-divided and farmers struggle to find space on their farms to grow subsistence and cash crops as well as keep livestock.
MONROVIA, The Government of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Jamahiriya through the People's Bureau in Monrovia and officials of Liberia Government Thursday, September 11, 2008, launched “The Green Program” with the commissioning of eight tractors brought into the country by the Libyans recently.
Beans are a popular food item. They are some of the best sources of proteins, which are essential for health. The leaves are used as a vegetable or animal feed.
Minister Toe and Entourage Tour Projects in Bong County
Published: 21 August, 2008
A yam plot at CARI
While some Liberian government officials were determined last Thursday, August 14, 2008 morning to unlock the doors to their offices, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Chris Toe and his senior staff were eagerly preparing themselves to spark the engines of their vehicles on a journey to attend what one would consider to be a mini retreat.
The AGRA team and Ministry of Agriculture Official in audience with Vice President Joseph N. Boakai (facing camera) and The AGRA on field visit to a rubber plantation
AGRA Team Visits Liberia
Published: 07 August, 2008
Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has stressed the need for the establishment of a manufacturing plant for fertilizers and chemicals in the sub-region to increase farmers' productivity.
Constraints Associated with Cassava Production
Published: 24 July, 2008
Cassava Mealy Bug: One of many insects against quality cassava growth
Most rural people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. But in almost all cases things are becoming difficult for people to realize their dreams. One case is the production of cassava.
From Food Crisis to Food Surplus: The Fertilizer Miracle
Published: 17 July, 2008
In 2005, Malawi was unable to feed itself and nearly five million of its 13 million people needed emergency food aid. Flash forward to 2008; Malawi has been a net exporter of food aid the past two years running, sending hundreds of thousands of tons of food to larger neighbors such as Zimbabwe and claiming the remarkable distinction as the largest southern African provider of food aid to the World Food Program. In 2005, corn yields were 1.2 million metric tons. These increased dramatically to 2.7 million tons in 2006 and again to 3.4 million metric tons in 2007. In October last year, UNICEF sent three tons of powdered milk that had been warehoused in Malawi and earmarked for severely malnourished children in the country to Uganda instead. Juan Ortiz-Iruri, UNICEF's deputy country representative in Malawi, declared jubilantly, “We will not be able to use it!”
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.<
