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By Josiah Pailay /+231880205406/+231775260307/ [email protected]
In a major effort to revitalize Liberia’s rubber industry, the National Rubber Broker Farmers and Union of Liberia (NARBFUL), in collaboration with DEENAM BIOMASS-LIBERIA, has concluded a crucial stakeholders’ meeting with over 250 smallholder rubber farmers in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders, aimed to address the challenges faced by smallholder rubber farmers and explore sustainable opportunities to improve productivity and economic growth in the sector.
It also served as a platform to introduce NARBFUL’s ambitious plan to purchase, cut, and replant rubber farms, a move expected to rejuvenate Liberia’s rubber industry.
Speaking to reporters following the gathering, NARBFUL’s Vice President for Administration, Stanley Saywolao, described the initiative as a transformative moment for smallholder farmers who have long struggled with maintaining and expanding their rubber plantations.
“For years, our farmers have faced immense difficulties in sustaining their farms due to aging rubber trees, limited access to financial resources, and lack of proper infrastructure,” Saywolao stated.
“Today, we are here to assure them that NARBFUL, in collaboration with DEENAM BIOMASS-LIBERIA, is committed to investing in their farms through a structured cutting and replanting program. This will not only improve their productivity but also secure the future of the rubber industry in Liberia.”
The initiative is designed to provide financial relief to farmers while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.
By replacing unproductive rubber trees with new, high-yield varieties, the project aims to enhance productivity and increase income for smallholder farmers.
As part of the project, NARBFUL and DEENAM BIOMASS-LIBERIA will provide essential infrastructure support, including farm-to-market roads, which will ease transportation challenges for farmers. Additionally, the program will supply materials and working equipment to assist in the cutting, replanting, and maintenance of rubber farms.
Farmers will also receive training on modern rubber cultivation techniques, ensuring that they can maximize yield and improve the overall quality of rubber production in the country. The initiative is expected to create employment opportunities and boost economic activities in rural communities.
The rubber revitalization project, set to begin this February 2025, is projected to last for over 30 years, making it a long-term investment in the country’s agricultural sector. With Liberia’s rubber industry being one of the key contributors to the economy, stakeholders believe that this initiative will play a significant role in strengthening the sector and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers.
For many smallholder rubber farmers, this program represents a long-awaited breakthrough. “This initiative means that our years of hard work and patience will finally pay off. It gives us hope for a more stable and profitable future,” said one of the attending farmers.
The success of the program will rely on the cooperation of various stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, and development partners, who are expected to support the initiative through policy implementation and funding.
With a clear roadmap set for Liberia’s rubber industry, NARBFUL, and DEENAM BIOMASS-LIBERIA’s collaborative efforts signal a new era for smallholder rubber farmers. If successfully implemented, the program could serve as a model for agricultural development in other sectors of Liberia’s economy.
