KPATAWEE – Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has officially launched the harvest of a 100-acre rice farm at Kpatawee Waterfall, marking a new phase in efforts to increase Liberia’s domestic rice production.
By: Gegee Brima – alhajigegeebrima@gmail.com
The farm, cultivated by Gbedin Agro-Business Incorporated since June 2026, is expected to produce approximately 120 metric tons of rice. The company plans to expand the operation to 1,500 acres, subject to the availability of additional machinery and processing equipment.
The launch followed the Government of Liberia’s handover of more than 300 pieces of agricultural machinery and equipment donated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China. The handover was led by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., the previous day.
At Kpatawee, the Ministry of Agriculture provided fertilizers and agrochemicals and deployed a combine harvester to assist with the harvest. The support is intended to reduce the cost and labour demands associated with harvesting by hand.
Minister Nuetah commended the company’s investment and urged Liberians to increase agricultural production, saying the government was prepared to support farmers who cultivate their land.
“Let them find their fields, and we will support them to cultivate. Let them take advantage of the machines here and grow more to feed the nation. Only by scaling up production can Liberia feed itself,” he said.
Gbedin Agro-Business already operates a 250-acre lowland rice farm in Gbedi, Nimba County. The company is also preparing to introduce Kpatawee Rice, a locally produced brand intended to contribute to the supply of Liberian-grown rice.
Project Manager Harry Kerkula welcomed the start of the harvest and encouraged more farmers to pursue commercial rice production. He said expanding the Kpatawee farm would require additional tractors, power tillers and rice-processing equipment, including a machine capable of processing at least 10 metric tons daily.
“We have the strength if we get the equipment. We have three tractors already,” Kerkula said.
The project highlights the role of agricultural inputs, mechanization and private investment in efforts to expand local food production. The company’s proposed expansion will depend on securing the equipment needed to cultivate and process rice at a larger scale.
