Why rubber sector is ailing

If the present financial situation of the country is given serious consideration, it is obvious that the income from our exports needs to be increased. Rubber is the third largest export crop of the country. In 2019 it earned nearly Rs. 4320 million in foreign exchange and has continued to decrease during the last few years. Based on Central Bank annual reports , the total Rubber production in 2010 was 152.9 million Kg and by 2019 it has plummeted to 74.8 million kg. The corresponding values for average yields (AY) are 1561 kg/ha and 665 kg/ ha respectively. These figures indicate that the Sri Lankan rubber sector is ailing. A few days ago, Dr. L.M.K Tilakaratna, former Director of the Rubber Research Institute (RRI) writing to THE ISLAND too indicates that the rubber sector is declining and he attributes this situation to incorrect agro management techniques.

According to Statistical Data of the Ministry of Plantation Crops, out of the 130,349 ha under rubber, 89,246 ha are in the small holder (SH) rubber sector and 41,103 ha are managed by Regional Planation Companies (RPC). The productivity (kg/ha) of the RPC sector in 2010 was 696, and has decreased to 600 by 2017 a drop of 13.7%. Current data is not available. The corresponding values for the SH sector is 1516 and 644 respectively and the drop is 57.5%. The current value may be more. These values indicate that the productivity of the SH sector has decreased substantially, compared to the RPC sector during the period 2010-2017, which may be attributed to poor management in this sector compared to that of the RPC sector.

Rubber cultivation involves a number of operations. Among these is marking contours, cutting planting holes of proper size and refilling with top soil free of rocks, and stones. Most of the rubber plantations are on sloping lands and hence, carrying out appropriate soil conservation measures is essential. In this regard, marking main drains and lateral drains in the contour is an important activity. Planting budded stumps, establishing a cover crop, application of fertilizers at correct times and in correct amounts are of importance. Tapping needs to be done when plants have achieved recommended girth. Proper management of the rubber plantations of the SH sector depends on their skills and knowledge on the above issues but, how do they get this information? It is through the extension officers who work at grass root level. Thus, extension officers have an important role to play in the proper management of the rubber plantations and increasing rubber yields.

In early 1980 the Advisory Services Dept. was established to make the SH aware of the practices which have an important bearing on the rubber yields,. At that time there were nearly  150 rubber extension officers, working for the Advisory Services Department of the Rubber Research Board to assist the SH in the 8 districts,  to grow, process and market rubber.  However, at present there are only around 20 extension staff in the Rubber Research Board and as a result the rubber extension programme appears to be very weak resulting in a decrease (57.5% ) in the productivity as indicated. Extension service has a vital role to play in motivating farmers to cultivate rubber and increase its productivity. Hence, if the government is keen to increase the productivity of this sector, It may be desirable if the Ministry of Planation Industries strengthen the Extension Department of RRI and have a Rubber Advisory Department as was in the past. Perhaps the Ministry may amalgamate Rubber Development Department and the Extension Department of RRI as was in the past.

Recently established Sri Lanka Rubber Secretariat of the Ministry of Plantation Industries came out with the Sri Lanka Rubber Industry Master Plan 2017 – 2026, A National Agenda for Rubber Industry Development of Sri Lanka. This master plan has 24 projects which would require investments of approximately U$ 500 million (nearly Rs. 100 billion) Most of these projects are unrealistic . One wonders whether spending so much on unrealistic, unachievable projects can be justified. If the Ministry of Plantations is keen to increase rubber production in the country, it is necessary that realistic achievable projects are implemented.

Dr. Tilakaratna very correctly has indicated that communication gap between the RRI scientists and those in the RPCC is one of the reasons for the decrease in productivity. He mentions about the valuable rubber bulletin has not being published since 2018. . Regional meetings conducted to discuss new developments in the rubber industry, and the problems faced by the estate managers have not been conducted for years after setting up of the plantation rehabilitation and monitoring committee by the Ministry of Plantation Industries. It is the responsibility of the Chairman of Rubber Research Board (RRB) to see that these activities which have an important bearing on the productivity of rubber sector are carried out without any interruption. But, the Chairmen of RRB during the last few years appear to have not taken appropriate effective action on these issues. Perhaps it may because they did not have adequate knowledge on the rubber industry.

Dr. C. S. Weeraratna, (csweera@sltnet.lk)

Former Director, Rubber Advisory Services Department