The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Government of Liberia (GOL) have signed two projects totaling US$478,000.

Following the signing ceremony which took place at the FAO offices in Mamba Point, the FAO donated a 45KVA power generator to the Ministry of Agriculture, and presented six computers to six agriculture-related institutions in the country.

The six institutions receiving the computers included the Ministry of Agriculture, the University of Liberia Agriculture College, the Central Agriculture Research Institute, the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation, the Cooperative Development Agency and the Forestry Development Authority.

FAO resident representative Subramanian Thirugnanasambanthar signed for his organization, while Agriculture Minister George Karmee signed on behalf of the GOL.

In brief remarks, Mr. Thirugnanasambanthar noted that one of the projects will assist crisis-affected farm families in Urban and Peri-Urban areas, while the other will provide for emergency support to the rehabilitation of Artisinal Fisheries in Rivercess, Grand Kru, Maryland and Sinoe counties.

The FAO Resident Representative also pointed out that the FAO’s mandate aims to raise levels of nutrition, improve agriculture productivity, better the lives of rural population and contribute to economic growth, which he observed cannot be achieved in Liberia when "our parents at the natural level have no means".

Responding, Agriculture Minister Karmee praised the FAO for the numerous assistance rendered the GOL over the years. He also called on the FAO for more technical assistance as Liberia moves from subsistence farming to improved productivity.

However, during the ceremonies, the six recipients of the computer sets thanked the FAO for the donation and promised to utilize same for the intended purpose.