By 𝐁𝐲: 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐏. 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡
The Ministry of Agriculture has admitted that it lacks the financial resources to operate and maintain the agricultural machinery procured to support farming activities across Liberia. Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah made the disclosure during the Ministry of Information’s press briefing on Tuesday, November 10, citing the absence of budgetary allocations for fuel, maintenance, lubricants, and equipment operators.
Minister Nuetah explained that operating heavy-duty agricultural equipment requires significant daily expenses, noting that some machines consume approximately 50 gallons of fuel daily, costing about US$345 at the estimated price of US$6.90 per gallon. He added that servicing, lubricants, and operators’ salaries further increase the operational costs.
To address the funding challenges, the government is considering engaging private sector operators to manage the machinery and provide services to farmers. The minister said the government could subsidize the services if funding becomes available, but private sector participation remains the preferred option for now.
The government’s admission has raised concerns about whether struggling farmers will afford the services and whether operational costs were adequately considered before the equipment was purchased. Meanwhile, Minister Nuetah defended the administration’s agricultural programs, claiming improvements are emerging in local markets, although specific figures supporting the claims have not been provided.
