CARI to develop strategic plan for agriculture

The Director General at the Center Agriculture Research Institute (CARI), Dr. Marcus Jones has assured citizens of a robust effort in developing a strategic plan in the agriculture sector of Liberia.

Speaking in an interview with this paper recently, the CARI boss said the strategic plan for agricultural research will provide a framework for institution to clearly set the direction, priorities for research, capacity development and related activities to empower local farmers.

He notes that the strategic plan will motivate farmers and enable CARI to prepare for other challenges farmers face in the country.

“More important, the strategy is consistent with Liberian government policies and programs and reflects the needs of sector stakeholders,” he says.

Dr. Jones narrates that the strategic plan will prioritize issues and make a clear commitment to delivering a series of results that include agricultural research and development.

“This approach covers not only conventional research but also the use of innovation platforms, policy, markets, capacity strengthening, coordination, advocacy, knowledge management, and the involvement of a broad base of stakeholders,” he adds.

Dr. Jones believes that the strategic plan developed will guide agriculture in the pursuit of its mission by involving key stakeholders including CARI staff, top policy makers at the Ministry of Agriculture, and stakeholders and individual farmers.

Dr. Jones who visited Ghana and Senegal research institutes, maintains that agricultural research extension is a system that delivers useful information to farmers and assisting them to develop requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes to make use of the information or technology effectively

He says CARI will explore more opportunities that will give farmers the insight on producing more rice for the Country’s stability.

By Joseph Titus Yekeryan in Bong–Edited by Winston W. Parley