The Ceres Medal is awarded to distinguished women who have made an outstanding contribution to social and humanitarian affairs or to agricultural development and food security. Making the presentation, the Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (F.A.O.), Dr. Jacques Diouf, said the award was in recognition of the Liberian chief executive's leadership which borders on good-governance and the President’s contribution to food security in Liberia and Africa. Reflecting on the food crisis in Liberia five years ago, the F.A.O. boss observed there has been significant improvements in ensuring that enough food is available for the country’s citizens at all times. Dr. Diouf assured the President of the F.A.O.’s support of Government’s programs which focuses on self-sufficiency in food production in Liberia. Receiving the award, the President thanked the F.A.O. for its recognition, which she said also goes to Liberian farmers, particularly women farmers of the country on whose behalf the award was being received. The Liberian President reiterated that Government’s commitment to agriculture and self-sufficiency in food production remains strong. She praised the F.A.O. Director-General for the long-standing friendship Liberia has enjoyed under his leadership. Dr. Diouf, the President recalled, has been instrumental in facilitating technical and resource assistance to Liberia's food policy. The F.A.O. Director once served as head of the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA), with headquarters then in Monrovia. The President expressed hope that with support, Liberia can increase its agricultural base in the coming years. She praised local farmers for responding to the global food crisis and assured them of Government’s continued support in helping grow more food. Previous recipients of the Award include Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Prime Minister Indira Ghandi, Queen Sofia of Spain, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, among others. Also speaking at the occasion were Agriculture Minister, Dr. Chris Toe; Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Margaret Loj; United States Ambassador to Liberia, Linda Thomas-Greenfield; and the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Zhou Yuxiao. The officials lauded farmers for their resilience and pledged to support the successful implementation of Liberia's agriculture and food policies. At this year’s program, several agricultural products including locally produced commodities and manufactured machines as well as artifacts were put on display. Locally manufactured machines on display were an oil palm processor, a motorized cassava grater, rice mill, rice winnower, among others. A visibly impressed President Johnson Sirleaf, accompanied by the F.A.O. Director-General and other officials, toured various agricultural booths and chatted with local farmers. The President and guests returned to Monrovia late Saturday and on Sunday hosted a luncheon in honor of the visiting F.A.O. Director at the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia.
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President Johnson Sirleaf Wins F.A.O. Award