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By Staff Writer
BONG COUNTY, LIBERIA — At least 83 smallholder rubber farmers in Bong County have received specialized training in improved rubber production, farm business management and climate-smart agriculture as part of efforts to increase productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods and promote environmentally sustainable rubber farming in Liberia.
The capacity-building initiative, organized by Yeanee General Agriculture Supplies, brought together 67 male and 16 female farmers from Gbarnay Town and Wainsue, two farming communities in Bong County, where smallholder producers continue to face challenges associated with limited technical knowledge, inadequate farm management practices and changing climatic conditions.
The training sought to equip participants with practical skills to improve rubber plantation management, reduce production losses, strengthen farm profitability and adapt their farming activities to emerging environmental and climate-related challenges.
The intervention comes amid growing recognition that improving agricultural productivity requires more than access to farmland and planting materials. Farmers must also possess the technical expertise, financial management skills and environmental knowledge needed to operate profitable and sustainable agricultural enterprises.
Speaking during the training, lead facilitator Jonathan Steward emphasized that limited access to practical agricultural extension services and business development knowledge remains a significant constraint to smallholder rubber farmers seeking to improve their productivity and incomes.
Steward explained that the training was designed to bridge these knowledge gaps by introducing participants to improved production technologies, practical farm business strategies and environmentally responsible agricultural practices.
“The training is aimed at bridging the knowledge gaps among smallholder rubber farmers by strengthening their skills in smart production techniques, business management and environmentally friendly practices that enhance profitability, sustainable production and economic growth in rural communities,” Steward said.
He stressed that improving the livelihoods of rubber farmers requires an integrated approach that combines technical agricultural knowledge with sound financial planning and sustainable natural resource management.
According to Steward, farmers who adopt improved production methods and manage their plantations as commercial enterprises are better positioned to reduce avoidable losses, improve product quality and increase returns on their investments.
A major component of the training focused on strengthening farmers’ practical knowledge of rubber production and plantation management.
Participants received instruction in nursery establishment and management, bud grafting, pest and disease control, and appropriate rubber tapping techniques.
The sessions emphasized the importance of selecting healthy planting materials, maintaining productive rubber trees and applying recommended tapping practices to sustain latex production without damaging trees.
Farmers were also introduced to improved nursery management techniques aimed at increasing seedling survival rates and supporting the establishment of healthier and more productive rubber plantations.
Special attention was given to bud grafting, an important propagation technique that allows farmers to reproduce desirable rubber planting materials and improve plantation quality.
The training also addressed common pest and disease management challenges, highlighting preventive measures and appropriate farm management practices that can reduce losses and protect plantation productivity.
Steward emphasized that improper tapping techniques and inadequate plantation maintenance can affect latex yields, damage trees and reduce the productive lifespan of rubber plantations.
He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired to improve the management of their farms and strengthen long-term production.
Farming as a Business: Moving Beyond Traditional Production
Beyond technical production skills, the training introduced farmers to the Farming as a Business concept, encouraging them to view rubber cultivation as an economic enterprise requiring planning, investment, financial discipline and market awareness.
Participants received practical instruction in farm planning, budgeting, record-keeping, production cost management, marketing strategies, product pricing, savings and reinvestment.
The sessions emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate records of farm expenditures, labour costs, production volumes and sales revenues to help farmers determine whether their operations are profitable.
Farmers were encouraged to distinguish between total sales and actual profits, monitor production expenses and make informed decisions about investments in their plantations.
The training also highlighted the need for smallholder producers to understand market conditions, negotiate better prices and develop strategies that can improve their bargaining position in the rubber value chain.
Steward noted that increased production alone does not necessarily translate into higher incomes if farmers lack the financial and business management skills needed to control costs and market their products effectively.
The business management component therefore encouraged participants to adopt a more commercially oriented approach to rubber farming, including setting production targets, developing farm budgets and reinvesting part of their earnings to sustain operations.
Climate-Smart Agriculture Takes Center Stage
With changing weather patterns and environmental degradation posing growing challenges to agricultural production, the training also placed significant emphasis on climate-smart rubber farming.
Participants were introduced to environmentally sustainable production practices and climate adaptation strategies intended to strengthen the resilience of their plantations.
The sessions addressed sustainable land management, soil conservation, responsible use of agricultural inputs and the importance of protecting the natural environment while maintaining productive farming systems.
Farmers were encouraged to adopt practices that reduce unnecessary land degradation, maintain soil health and strengthen their ability to respond to changing rainfall patterns and other climate-related risks.
The training emphasized that sustainable rubber production requires farmers to balance immediate economic returns with the long-term health and productivity of their plantations.
Participating farmers welcomed the initiative and commended Yeanee General Agriculture Supplies for providing practical agricultural knowledge that they believe will help improve their farming activities.
The beneficiaries described the training as timely, particularly as smallholder rubber producers seek ways to improve productivity, manage production costs and respond to changing environmental and market conditions.
They expressed appreciation for the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of modern rubber production methods and farm business management.
Mary Sumo, one of the female rubber farmers who participated in the training, described the intervention as timely and important, particularly for smallholder farmers who have limited access to agricultural extension services and modern production techniques.
“As women farmers, we face many challenges, especially when it comes to accessing technical knowledge and managing the money we earn from our farms. I have learned that farming is not just about producing and selling rubber, but also about planning, controlling expenses, saving and reinvesting to improve our farms. I believe that if we put these lessons into practice, we can increase our income and better support our families,” Mary Sumo emphasized
As Liberia pursues agricultural transformation and economic diversification, initiatives that strengthen the technical and entrepreneurial capacities of smallholder producers could play an important role in improving rural incomes and making agricultural value chains more competitive.
