Rise in food production

[This IRIN report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations.] Annual rice production in Liberia has increased from 25 percent of its pre-war level in 1995 to 70 percent in 1998 the Country Representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Liberia, Kasa Kimoto, told IRIN on Monday. The FAO was projecting a further increase to 255,000 mt in 1999, 85% of its pre-war level. He ascribed rising production largely to the positive response of the international community, including UN agencies, donors and NGOs. Agricultural productivity has been increasing in Bong, Bomi, Montserrado and Nimba counties, he said, but not in Maryland, Sinoe and Grand Kru where poor roads have made access to farms difficult. In Lofa County, many of the estimated 25,000 displaced people are farmers which would prevent them from harvesting their crops in two weeks. "We need to bring displaced farmers back to their paddy fields and we will be providing an emergency supply of agricultural inputs for the coming planting season," he said. Kimoto said Liberian Defence Minister Daniel Chea assured him on 14 September that it was safe for humanitarian agencies to return to Voinjama, Upper Lofa. Aid agencies were evacuated from the area at the end of August following dissident activity. Cassava production was not as badly affected as rice during the war and reached 96% of pre-war levels in 1998, although it was 50% in 1995. "Rice production is more capital intensive," Kimoto said. "It requires irrigation, seed and weed control and timely harvesting and storage. On the other hand cassava requires less care and is easy to grow." He said livestock production, with the exception of chickens, needed to be improved. The FAO is testing pigs for African Swine Fever in Nimba County.