MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has clarified the status of a longstanding compensation arrangement between rubber farmers and the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC) plantation whose rubber trees were removed during the expansion of the company in Grand Bassa County.

Minister Nuetah noted that the issue dates back to 2004, when a government committee established under the administration of Gyude Bryant reviewed compensation claims from the rubber farmers who were affected by the LAC plantation expansion.

According to a release, the committee, which was chaired by then Agriculture Minister George Karmea, determined that compensation for each mature rubber tree would be US$6, which was agreed that LAC would pay US$3 per tree, while the Government of Liberia committed to paying the remaining US$3.

Minister Nuetah disclosed that records available to the Ministry show that LAC fulfilled its obligation by making payments to affected rubber farmers, while the Government has since paid about US$67,000 toward its portion of the compensation.

The release quotes the Agriculture Minister as saying, “more than two-hundred thousand United States Dollars remains outstanding under the 2004 agreement for rubber farmers affected by the Liberia Agriculture Company’s expansion.

“We are not coming here to discuss a new price or conduct a new assessment. What was agreed upon in 2004 as the price stands. Payments began in 2005, and in 2006, 2007, and 2008, the government made some payments,” Minister Nuetah noted.

The Minister assured residents that their concerns will be presented to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr and relevant authorities, while promising to return within one month to update the community on the government’s decision and the way forward.

At the same time, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has inspected at least 17-hectare rubber nursery at the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC) in Grand Bassa County as part of his nationwide tour.

The nursery currently hosts 470,000 improved rubber seedlings, planted between September and August 2025, representing a significant investment in strengthening Liberia’s tree crop sector and supporting smallholder farmers with high-quality planting materials to boost production and incomes.

A release issued by MOA noted that during the tour, Minister Nuetah assessed the progress of the seedlings and engaged with technicians and staff who are working daily to expand Liberia’s rubber production.

The Minister also toured the company’s hydro plant, which powers key operations at the facility, noting that these engagements are part of the Ministry’s broader efforts under the “Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda” to transform Liberia’s agriculture sector.