Liberian lawmaker aims to export more cocoa through LACRA

Edward Karfia, a Liberian lawmaker, seeks the indulgence of the plenary of the House of Representatives to amend the Act of LACRA, the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority Act of 2016.

The lawmaker claims that improved LARCA has the power to market or export cocoa or coffee as done with the LPMC. Additionally, LPMC initiated many agricultural programs in the country that helped farmers to generate money. Before the civil unrest in the country, Liberia performed well in the agriculture sector generating $50 million yearly. This was through the export of cocoa and coffee.

By the recommended amended act, the formulation of an 8.3 section will occur. It will establish the entity’s authority for purchasing various agricultural commodities on the Liberian market. Karfia claims that the amendment stimulates trade in local agriculture commodities, increase export earnings, and will be responsible for the national merit. Furthermore, the act will promote economic growth, create jobs, and give optimism support to farmers and promote our Liberalization policy.

If amended, the act doesn’t give the authority of power or right to export cocoa to any company, except LARCA. All payments on exported cocoa and coffee shall be paid in a brief account. Established at the Central Bank of Liberia or a trustworthy commercial bank.

LARCA’s Plan isn’t effective

Sheik Turay, president of NALICEA, the National Liberia Cocoa Exporters Association, said the plan by LACRA is dangerous, corrupt, and meant to destroy the cocoa sector. Moreover, the sector has over 30 000 cocoa farmers. Monopolization will destroy the investments made in the trade over the last decade. Investments from cooperatives and smallholders, the government of Liberia and the international global communities.

LARCA will have just a single exporter of cocoa Musa Konneh, Deputy Director-General for Technical Services, said in an interview. Due to the rigid reform inspired by the authority’s five-year strategic plan in the pursuit of making the sector economically feasible. A year ago, when LARCA started to apply, there were 17 exporters of cocoa, the number has reduced to nine. According to Konneh, the country has only one exporter, and the rest are agents who sell to that exporter.

Sadly, Liberia exports from 15 to 20 000 tons negligible compared to the Ivory Coast.

Rustonlyn Dennis, plenary, agreed to mandate its representatives on Agriculture and Judiciary to take charge of the communication, analyze, and report to plenary in one week (Tuesday, February 4).