Plight of rubber cultivators

I wish to bring to the attention of the Hon. Minister in charge of Rubber cultivation, the current plight of rubber cultivators, in view of the Government’s plans to make our country self- sufficient in rubber needs in the near future.

Currently cultivators are paid very low prices for rubber latex by collectors, varying from Rs.220-250/Kg . When the tappers are paid their daily wages cultivators are left with so little, not enough even to maintain the cultivations. On the other hand, rubber products manufacturers have claimed that current prices are too high and have attributed this to the undue profiteering by the middle man, the rubber latex collecting companies. It was recently reported in the press that the Government has given the manufacturers an assurance that it will not allow any increase in rubber prices which means the current prices will remain as it is.

It is common knowledge that many rubber cultivators have given up their cultivations or abandoned the tapping, as it is often a loss-making activity at prevailing latex prices. In this background I wonder how the Government plans to expand rubber cultivation in this country, without addressing this issue of very poor or no reward to the grower of rubber. Unless they are paid a guaranteed price of at least Rs.300/Kg of rubber latex (similar to the paddy farmers’ guarantee) I don’t think anyone will venture out to grow rubber in this country. Therefore, I request the new Government to address this issue urgently, if it wants to make self-sufficiency in rubber a reality in this country. As it is now, no one with a saner mind will take up to grow rubber in this country.

S SENEVIRATNE

Rubber Cultivator
Matara