LACRA Acting Director General Mr. Dan T. Saryee
The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has launched an ambitious five-year strategic plan aimed at reducing rice importation by 25 percent by 2029, while transforming the country’s agriculture sector into a globally competitive and sustainable engine of growth. Unveiled Tuesday in Monrovia, the 2025–2029 plan outlines a comprehensive roadmap to decentralize LACRA’s operations, strengthen food security and modernize agricultural systems across Liberia. LACRA Acting Director General Dan T. Saryee described the strategy as a turning point for the sector, emphasizing its focus on inclusivity, innovation, and long-term resilience. “Our vision is to position Liberia’s cocoa, coffee, oil palm, and rice sectors as globally competitive, transparent and sustainable drivers of inclusive economic growth,” Mr. Saryee declared.
“We are committed to regulating, promoting, and transforming agricultural commodities through fair pricing, quality assurance, and inclusive market systems that strengthen food security and climate resilience.” A central pillar of the plan is decentralization, with LACRA committing to construct a modern headquarters and establish five regional hubs to bring services closer to farmers nationwide. “LACRA cannot remain Monrovia-centered,” Mr. Saryee stressed. “We will build a modern headquarters and five regional hubs to ensure that our services reach communities and farmers, enabling them to transition from subsistence to mechanized farming.” The plan also places strong emphasis on job creation and capacity building, targeting the recruitment of up to 340 Liberians across technical, commercial and field operations. Digital transformation is another key priority, with LACRA aiming to digitize 80 percent of its operations by 2029 to improve efficiency and transparency. On food security, Mr. Saryee expressed confidence in the Authority’s ability to significantly cut rice imports within the plan’s lifespan.
“By 2029, we are prepared and confident that we can reduce rice importation by 25 percent,” he said. “Achieving this will require intensive farmer training and community engagement, and we estimate a total cost of US$2.7 million to fully implement this strategy.” Meanwhile, President Boakai's Senior Political Advisor Macdella Cooper, speaking on behalf of the Minister of State, underscored the urgency of building a self-reliant agricultural system. “No nation can truly stand while depending on others to feed its citizens,” Madam Cooper asserted. “Liberia must believe in itself, invest in itself, and build its future with its own hands. A food-secure Liberia is a strong nation.” She reaffirmed President Boakai Administration’s commitment to empowering local farmers and revitalizing the agriculture sector through targeted interventions. “We are focused on creating jobs, supporting rural communities with access to quality seeds, tools, and training, and strengthening value chains in rice, maize, coffee, cassava, and oil palm,” she said. “We will expand markets for farmers’ produce and promote private sector investment to build a resilient and vibrant agricultural sector.”
Madam Cooper added that investments in infrastructure and mechanization centers will be key to making farming more productive and profitable, particularly for rural communities. She described LACRA’s strategic plan as a vital framework for national development. “This plan provides the structure to regulate, monitor, and support Liberia’s agriculture sector, ensuring that every farmer and entrepreneur can contribute to building a more prosperous future for our country,” Madam Cooper noted. With its bold targets and clear implementation roadmap, LACRA’s five-year plan signals a decisive shift toward agricultural transformation, positioning the sector at the heart of Liberia’s economic growth and food security agenda.
