The Inquirer (Monrovia)
15 May 2008
The Management of Firestone Liberia is continuing the distribution of free rubber stumps to Liberian rubber farmers.
The exercise is part of its Free Rubber Stumps Distribution which was launched few years ago in a bid to assist Liberian rubber farmers with free stumps to enable them replant their farms that were damaged as a result of the prolonged civil crisis in the country. The Company has distributed tens of thousands of free rubber saplings to Liberian farmers to help secure the future of thousands of families in the country.
The first phase of this year's exercise started recently at the Division 39 Nursery, outside Harbel, with each coordinator taking delivery of about five thousand (5,000) rubber stumps for distribution among registered farmers within their respective areas.
Speaking at the Division 39 Nursery, Agronomist Robert Fagans of Firestone Liberia disclosed that the company intends to give out thousands of free rubber stumps to deserving farmers during the first phase of the exercise.
During the colorful ceremony, Mr. Fagans also said that more free stumps would be given to farmers during the second phase of the exercise which is expected to begin in June this year. According to the young Liberian agronomist, the number of rubber stumps to be given to farmers would increase during the second phase of the exercise because by that time of the year, the rainfall would have also increased to enable the young plants to grow smoothly.
He further disclosed that "Firestone does not only give out the free rubber stumps to the farmers, but they are also advised on how to go about their planting process and how to groom the plants."
Receiving his portion of rubber stumps on behalf of farmers, the Coordinator of the Firestone Free Rubber Stumps Distribution Exercise in Fuamah District, Lower Bong County, Mr. Zulo Barclay, extolled the Management of Firestone Liberia for the exercise saying "it has eased the burden of farmers going to buy rubber stumps on their own; in some instances they lack the funds to purchase the stumps."
Mr. Barclay disclosed that he received six thousand (6,000) free rubber stumps last year (2007), and distributed same among twenty deserving farmers whom he said have being doing well with their various farms. He noted that these farmers would also benefit from the current consignment he received.
He said the exercise is helping farmers who are beneficiaries to improve the conditions of their damaged farms and restore their hope of becoming successful rubber farmers in the future; thereby adding to the development and growth of the Liberian rubber industry.
The Firestone Free Rubber Stumps Distribution Exercise has benefited Liberian rubber farmers in most parts of the country, especially those in parts of Bong, Bomi, Margibi, Montserrado, Nimba, Grand Bassa and Grand Cape Mount counties.
It can be recalled that during the official launch of the exercise on August 7, 2006, in Salala, Bong County, Deputy Agriculture Minister, Mr. Peter Korvah, described the exercise as "a laudable venture" because as he put it at the time, "it has been the desire of government to see the rehabilitation of the dying Liberian rubber industry which was greatly affected a s a result of the protracted period of civil war in the country." According to Deputy Minister Korvah, the launch of the exercise by Firestone Liberia was also a boost to efforts aimed at resurrecting the dying Liberian rubber industry which is part of the supporting arms of government's revenue intake.
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