Executive Order No. 118 of 2023 on adoption of Guidelines and Procedures for Management of Food Reserve in Liberia.

This Executive Order, comprised of two sections, is designed to address national food insecurity and deficits in Liberia while preventing overall national insecurity. Its primary focus is on enhancing preparedness planning for food security crises. This order establishes guidelines for the operation and utilization of the Food Reserve Stock within the country, offering a comprehensive manual for its users. The order emphasizes the importance of maintaining national food reserves with the following objectives: (i) mitigating local shortages in designated agricultural commodities, (ii) providing timely assistance during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and droughts, and (iii) addressing issues related to supply that contribute to price volatility. Furthermore, it stipulates that the replenishment of food stocks in the National Reserve system should be primarily funded by the Government through annual budget allocations. County-level reserves, on the other hand, are expected to be replenished through yearly production activities.
Regarding the management of food stocks, the Government of Liberia is empowered to procure specific agricultural commodities from domestic markets or through imports for the National Food Reserve Stock. The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with pertinent bodies, is tasked with establishing key performance indicators, monitoring risks related to stocking and distribution, and drafting technical manuals to ensure effective food security and distribution. It is imperative to establish formal agreements with bilateral or multilateral partners to facilitate the replenishment of the national food reserve system. Moreover, the Minister of Agriculture is obliged to formulate Administrative and Operational Regulations to enact this Executive Order.