A STUDY ON SMALLHOLDER RUBBER PRODUCTION IN MONARAGALADISTRICT, SRI LANKA

Abstract

Sri Lanka is one of the nine major producers of natural rubber (NR) in the world. In terms of
productivity, it is now the third best. Sri Lanka’s national rubber production is immensely
contributed by the smallholder rubber producers. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the
existing status of rubber cultivation, socio-economic conditions and the issues of smallholder rubber
farmers in Monaragala district. Five Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions of Monaragala district
were selected and twenty respondents (rubber producers) were chosen by using simple randomsampling method from each selected DS divisions as the total sample size of 100. Pre-tested,
structured and an interviewer administrated questionnaires were used to collect primary data fromfarmers. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis and multiple regression analysis were done. The
results of the study indicates that majority of the farmers (54%) were between the age range of 41-60
years. Rubber cultivation was predominantly a male occupation and majority of the farmers (52%)
had attended primary level education. The average farming experience of the respondents was 7.5
years and more than half of the respondents (57%) had the farming experience of less than 7 years.
The average extent of land cultivated was 1.7 acres and it was observed that 93% of respondents’
cultivated land size was less than 3 acres. About 47% of rubber farmers had produced 50 – 100
kilograms of rubber per month. Average number of untapped trees was 112 and average tapped trees
were 205. Yield per month was 160 sheets and the average of cost of production per month was
Rs. 6,240. Results of multiple regression analysis revealed that the experience in rubber farming and
number of tapped trees had positive and highly significant relationship, whereas extent of land used
had negative significant relationship with rubber production. Despite impressive progress in the Sri
Lankan rubber industry, it is still overwhelmed by a series of critical issues such as declining planted
area, labour shortage-more specifically skilled tappers, low land and labour productivity, an ageing
labour force, inadequate resources, and high cost of production. The foremost challenge before
research institutions and the rubber industry here is to develop a golden clone which will not only be
very high yielding but also have other positive attributes, such as compatibility with over
exploitation, low frequency tapping without loss of yield and so on. Research efforts have to be
given top priority.