RRI to boost rubber production

by Gamini Warushamana

The Rubber Research Institute (RRI) will launch a series of programs to increase raw rubber production in the country from next month.

RRI Director Dr. Ashoka Nugawela said that as rubber based production in the country is increasing rubber growers cannot meet the demand in the market. Raw rubber export has dropped and Sri Lanka is now exporting value added rubber.

International rubber prices are at a very high level over a period of time. Following the high crude oil price, artificial rubber prices have gone up and as a result over a long period natural rubber prices will remain high.

If we could increase raw rubber production it would be a huge economic advantage to the country, he said.

RRI has drawn up plans to increase raw rubber production. Dr. Nugawela said that raw rubber production can be increased in the short run by using rain guards and proper use of fertiliser. By using rain guards growers can increase the number of tapping days and production significantly. As a result of heavy rainfall in 2006 the industry lost a large quantity of raw rubber and there was a short supply.

Rain guards were introduced to growers many years ago but only a few estate companies and smallholders use them.

There is a myth that rain guards may harm the rubber tree. The safety of the rain guards has been proved for over 20 years. However, it should be correctly fixed and the RRI is ready to advise growers, Dr. Nugawela said.

The cost of a rain guard is also an issue. But if a grower uses a rain guard he can cover its cost within five tapping days.

On the other hand growers have to bear only 50% of the cost as the government provides a subsidy. Dr. Nugawela said that productivity of our existing rubber plantations is very low as a result of low fertiliser usage, especially by smallholders. The Government provides a 50% subsidy for fertiliser too, but growers are not utilising it. To make growers aware the RRI will start a campaign from January.

In the long run increasing raw rubber production is restricted with limited land availability in traditional rubber growing areas. Dr. Nugawela said to increase the land extent, we have to move to new areas where land is available. Rubber cultivation in the Moneragala district is successful and the RRI is now conducting research to expand it to the Hambantota district as well.

RRI research has proved that rubber can be successfully grown in the Hambantota district and new rubber varieties and technologies have been recognised for the area.

In addition, rubber can be successfully grown in the hill country, where it was earlier considered unsuitable. Earlier, the RRI did not recommend land higher than 300m above sea level for rubber as the plants were affected by diseases.

However, RRI now recommends land up to 750m above sea level for rubber cultivation and provides rubber varieties and the technology for growers. Dr. Nugawela said that the Gampola and Pussellawa field trials have been successful and over 40,000ha have been recognised for rubber cultivation.

Dr. Nugawela said that abandoned tea lands in the area can be converted to rubber. Replanting tea is very costly compared to rubber cultivation and the environmental benefits of growing rubber in the hill country are tremendous, he said.

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