Analysis of youth workers’ characteristics and knowledge level in harvesting natural rubber in Liberia

Austin Gboo Yeanay; Myra E. David

Austin Gboo Yeanay National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union of Liberia, Jallah Town, Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia
Myra E. David College of Public Affairs and Development, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines

Keywords: Hevea brasiliensis, latex harvesting, Liberia youth tappers, SECI Model

Abstract

This study analyzed the characteristics and knowledge level of the youth workers in natural rubber harvesting in Liberia to sustain the rubber industry as a source of income for the youth sector. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 139 youth workers of a private rubber company. A two-choice category scale determined whether they performed steps and activities using the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training manual competencies. Descriptive statistics (percentage distribution, frequency, and mean) and Chi-square test were analyzed the data. Results revealed that majority of the respondents belonged to age bracket 15−35 years (68.4%), males (84.9%), married (54.9%), children of three to four (27.3%), from Nimba County (51.7%), completed junior high school (29.5%) but had no formal education (25.9%), residents in plantation (57.5%), tappers (95.7%), and employed for four to six years (64.8%). The frequency of performed steps was revealed highest in five out of the nine procedural steps as described in TESDA’s training module such as: 1) measuring tappable trees, 2) tapping criteria, 3) collecting and storing of latex and cup lumps, 4) installing tapping paraphernalia, and 5) coagulating latex and preparing formic acid. This suggests that the youth’s inadequacy of procedural science-based knowledge in harvesting latex, and those five steps were shared by the parents and adults on the plantation. Also, a medium level of knowledge and Chi-square analysis revealed a highly significant association between experience and skill. This may imply that they are practicing some form of science-based latex harvesting but inadequately done. Tools used in the plantation may be similar to some in the training manual but should be a subject for further study to determine the satisfaction in performance while using the tools. Using the SECI Model, knowledge in latex harvesting was sourced informally (tacit to tacit) from parents and adults and not through other knowledge conversion phases/activities like training.