Published: March 26, 2026
WEALA, Margibi County — The Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL) and the Rubber Development Fund Incorporated (RDFI) have honored businessman Upjit Singh Sachdeva, widely known as “Jeety,” for his company’s sustained support to Liberia’s rubber sector, particularly during a period of market disruption and policy transition.
At a ceremony held in Margibi County, the two institutions praised Jeety Rubber as a reliable partner to smallholder farmers, noting that the company continued purchasing rubber when other buyers suspended operations following the government’s introduction of a regulated farm-gate pricing system in 2025.
In a joint certificate presented to the Jeety Rubber CEO, RPAL President Wilhelmina Mulbah Siaway and RDFI Chairman J. Tokpah Mulbah commended the company’s “exceptional contributions” and “unwavering support” to farmers, especially at a time when access to markets was constrained.
“Your commitment to sustaining farmer livelihoods and promoting community welfare is highly commendable,” the citation read.
The recognition comes against the backdrop of ongoing reforms in Liberia’s rubber sector. In June 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture introduced a standardized pricing regime in response to long-standing complaints from farmers over buyer-controlled pricing. As of March, the government-set price stands at $690 per ton, though farmers receive approximately $657 after statutory deductions.
The policy shift initially triggered resistance from major industry players, including Firestone Liberia, which suspended purchases at the time, arguing that the regulated price structure was economically unsustainable. It remains unclear whether the company has since resumed full operations.
Unlike some competitors, Jeety Rubber maintained its engagement with farmers and aligned with the government’s pricing framework. The company operates a more than $75 million processing facility in Weala, requiring between 200 and 250 tons of raw rubber daily. Its annual demand ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 tons, largely sourced from smallholder farmers.
In a symbolic gesture underscoring community appreciation, RPAL and RDFI robed Mr. Sachdeva in traditional attire and conferred on him the Liberian name “Kolleh,” meaning “a bright and good man.”
The ceremony also honored Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah and the Liberia Agriculture Company for their contributions to the sector.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Nuetah shifted focus to a key structural challenge facing the industry: low production. Despite existing processing capacity and improved market conditions, he said national output remains significantly below potential.
“The factories are ready. The price regime is fair and transparent. What we now need is production—more tapping, more output, more commitment from every farmer with rubber on their land,” Nuetah said.
He reiterated the government’s policy prohibiting the export of unprocessed rubber, warning that sales to informal or roadside buyers undermine regulatory enforcement and sector stability. The policy is backed by Executive Order No. 151, issued in August 2025, which mandates domestic processing to boost job creation and revenue.
To help address production constraints, Jeety Rubber has, since 2025, provided interest-free loans to more than 100 farmers to support replanting and farm expansion. The loans are repaid through structured deductions from future rubber sales, a model aimed at strengthening long-term supply while improving farmer capacity.
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