Todee District, Montserrado County—The Rubber Development Fund Incorporated (RDFI) has officially presented a brand-new Helix Toyota Pickup Truck and 16 motorcycles to the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL).
By Yawah Y. Jaivey
The pickup is intended for the use of RPAL’s head office project field team, while the motorcycles will be assigned to newly recruited field supervisors and technicians across eight counties in Liberia.
The newly recruited field personnel, who received the motorcycles, hail from River Cess, Sinoe, Maryland, Grand Kru, River Gee, Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape Mount and Lofa Counties.
The RDFI Chairman, Tokpah J. Mulbah, presenting the items on Wednesday at the RPAL head office in Todee District, Montserrado County, explained that the delivery of the vehicle and motorcycles aims to revitalize Liberia’s struggling rubber sector and enhance productivity among smallholder farmers.
Mr. Mulbah emphasized that the provision of motorcycles is designed to strengthen field support for rubber farmers, particularly those in remote areas, who often lack access to improved planting materials and technical guidance.
He encouraged RPAL’s field technicians to utilize the motorcycles to bolster rubber development in Liberia, especially among smallholder farmers.
“Our goal is to empower smallholder rubber farmers who struggle to compete with larger farmers or plantation owners. We must support the sector by equipping you, the technicians, with the tools and knowledge needed to improve small farms across the country,” he stated.
Mr. Mulbah expressed confidence that the efforts to support smallholder rubber farmers in Liberia would lead to improved rubber production over the next decade.
Receiving the vehicles and motorcycles, RPAL President Wilhelmina G. Mulbah Siaway urged the field supervisors and technicians to engage with farmers in the most remote areas, helping them acquire the necessary knowledge to enhance their rubber planting practices.
She reminded the field workers that the core mission of RPAL is to improve the livelihoods of smallholder rubber farmers without neglecting the larger farmers.
Madam Mulbah-Siaway said, “We have observed that smallholder farmers face various limitations. We urge you technicians to ensure that farmers receive and plant improved rubber varieties.”
She implored the field supervisors and technicians, whom she described as RPAL ambassadors, to work diligently to fulfill the mission and goals of the organization.
For his part, Todee District Superintendent Emmanuel David, also present at the occasion, expressed his gratitude to both RDFI and RPAL for delivery of the vehicle and motorcycles.
He expressed the belief that the equipment will greatly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the field and technicians and improve smallholder rubber farming across Liberia.
