A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of National Defense (MoD) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), which will lead to the re-activation of the Agriculture Company of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
The MoU comes in response to President George Weah’s request for establishing the AFL Agriculture Company to help address Liberia’s food insecurity challenges.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Agriculture Minister, Jeanine Milly Cooper, expressed thrill at bringing to fruition the President’s mandate of enhanced collaboration between the MoD and MoA to address Liberia’s challenge of food insecurity.
She said both ministries will work along with the National Bureau of Veteran Affairs in executing the agricultural program that will further provide job opportunities for former soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
In brief remarks, the Minister of National Defense, Daniel D. Ziankahn, expressed great desire to see the veterans playing a crucial role in solving Liberia’s food insecurity problem, and pledged the Ministry’s fullest support in sustaining the collaboration between the MoD and MoA. “When the military is not fighting war, it should be engaged with operations other than war,” he emphasized.
The MoU seeks to develop a comprehensive strategy through the establishment of a vocational training program for present and future veterans.
The MoU covers the areas of capacity building of present and future veterans, aiding present and future veterans in developing economic interest in the agricultural sector, and of renewing interest and commitment to the agricultural sector.
According to the MoU, “The ministries of Defense and Agriculture shall share experience and provide expertise within a framework that supports agriculture production.”