Research Paper Commerce E-ISSN : 2454-9916 | Volume : 1 | Issue : 5 | Dec 2015

A
STUDY
ON
THE
PROBLEMS
AND
PROSPECTS
OF

SMALL
RUBBER
CULTIVATORS
IN
PATTAMBI
TALUK

AREA

VK Muralidharan
Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce & Management Studies, Govt. Sanskrit College, Pattambi,
Palakkad Dt, Kerala, India – 679 306

ABSTRACT
Rubber plantation sector in India is dominated still by the contribution from Kerala based cultivation and which is about ninety two per-
cent of the total rubber production in the nation. Out of the total contribution from Kerala a large share is from the small cultivators from
different areas throughout the state. The most suitable places for rubber plantation are hilly areas where many families are engaged in
to this and they are also a part of the overall process of the development of the country. Small rubber cultivators are having a lot of prob-
lems relate to their field like lack of awareness, lack of support from the government, lack of capital, lack of trained labour force and lack
of stable price and market. In this context a study is quite essential in order to understand the various problems faced by these small cul-
tivators. For this an ideal place, Pattambi Taluk area is selected which is in located in Palakkad district in the middle region of Kerala.
Many small farmers are engaged in the rubber plantation and considered as the main income. Even though the study is a micro model
this has a wide scope since it focused in one of the important crops which leads the economic and social development of the country.

KEYWORDS: Rubber cultivators, Natural Rubber, Plantation, Tapping, Grading

INTRODUCTION:
The production of rubber in India has initiated from Kerala in the
year 1905 which were mainly from Kollam and Kottayam districts.
Rubber also produced in some areas of northern states of India.
The growth of Rubber plantation industry is due to the growth in
the rubber cultivation in various areas of Kerala. Apart from that
the increased growth of rubber products is also another reason for
the growth of rubber cultivation. The Indian Rubber (production
and marketing) Act 1947 empowered the government to fix the
maximum and minimum prices. Thus the organizational struc-
ture of the Indian rubber productions sector is divided between
small holding and estates, compared to other plantations crops in
the country, rubber has recorded higher annual growth rate in
area, production and productivity. At present India is the fourth
highest producer of rubber in the world and according to rubber
consumption statistics, India also become fourth country in rubber
consumption compare to other countries.
Kerala, as its specialty, has a long remarkable tradition in the cul-
tivation of plantation crops and Rubber, tea, coffee and cardamom
are the major plantation crops cultivating and marketing from
here. Kerala is the main rubber plantation state in India and it
accounts about ninety percent of the country's total natural rubber
production. This crop was brought to India during the time of Brit-
ish and Most of the hilly regions in Kerala rubber grows and it is
more concentrated in North Kerala region and many small and
large plantations are seen there and becomes the main source of
income of many cultivators. In Kerala Kottayam comes in the first
place and about sixteen percent of the total industrial units are
based on rubber production. The main reason for the growth of rub-
ber cultivation is the suitability of geographical and agro climate of
Kerala. Palakkad district which is in the middle part of Kerala is
also a hill oriented district and many small and large rubber culti-
vators are there. The climate and the geographical place is suit-
able for rubber plantation and because of this many small planta-
tion units can be seen everywhere in this district. The demand for
rubber is increased every day in accordance with the increased
demand for the rubber products like tyres etc. In accordance with
the growth in the demand of rubber products the supply part can-
not match with that. This is because of a lot of reasons that the
small cultivators suffering. The normal problems are lack of effi-
cient tapping workers, lack of proper timely assistance from the
side of government, source of fund for investment etc. Apart from
that there is no a price stability for the products and this discour-
ages the cultivators. In view of the present circumstances it is
quite essential that to conduct a study on this effect by concentrat-
ing a small segment.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
Kerala is the largest producer of natural rubber in India and the
total production is about ninety of the total production in the coun-
try. The area of Kerala is only 1.2 percent of the total area and the
population is about 4% of India. Still this position maintains.
Kottayam district and Kollam district are the leading producers of
natural rubber. In almost all districts has the contribution of natu-
ral rubber by way of contribution from small cultivators, medium
producers and large cultivators. Among these the unorganized
group is small cultivators. They are surviving with the rubber pro-
duction with a lot of problems. To get an idea about what exactly
the problems faced by them it is highly necessary to conduct a
study on this domain. So far no effective study has been conducted
in this aspect on this grass root level. Since India is a land of agri-
culture the healthy existence of agricultural products especially
the rubber cultivation contributes the economic and social devel-
opment of the nation as well as the prosperity of the small villages
through the cultivators and hence the study is relevant and signifi-
cant especially on a specially important area in Palakkad district,
Kerala where many cultivators are still engaging this field.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
Production of natural rubber is considered as one of the prominent
role in agriculture field and there by even the small cultivators can
generate income by cultivating this as a small business. But the
small cultivators are still facing some problems while going
through this cultivation and generating income. That is why it is
adopted this topic for the study to know about the various prob-
lems faced by small rubber cultivators in rubber production. Thus
this micro level study helps to find out the problems associated
with rubber production and marketing. This study is conducted
with eighty respondents from Pattambi Taluk, Palakkad District,
Kerala. Since many people are actively engaged with rubber pro-
duction and marketing in this selected area, it is found this place is

International Education & Research Journal [IERJ] 112

Research Paper
an ideal for the study.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
1. To study the awareness level of rubber cultivators about vari-
ous assistances provided by government and non-government
agencies to promote cultivation.
2. To study various problems faced by the small rubber cultiva-
tors.
3. To study the problems associated with availability of assis-
tance and rubber marketing.
METHODOLOGY ADOPTED:
This study is primarily based on primary data but for some analy-
sis and explanations secondary data also used. The whole analysis
has been from the primary data. Primary collected by a well struc-
tured questionnaire and secondary data has collected from books,
articles, Journals and websites. Data collected from a randomly
selected eighty respondents, i.e. the small rubber cultivators from
different areas of Pattambi Taluk on a random basis. Appropriate
tools have been used for data analysis.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE:
Ÿ Ghoshal, DR. Pallab Kanti (2014) It is observed that there
have been certain vested interest groups who blame rubber
plantations for the increasing average temperature in the
state for the last few years. Advertisements on the local daily
newspaper informing the ecological benefits accruing from rub-
ber plantation may be published.
Ÿ Lisa Mariam Varkey & Pramod Kumar (2013) This focuses the
structural changes in rubber processing industry are observ-
able. The small manufacturing firms need to be supported by
appropriate policies, considering the fact that they primarily
deal with natural rubber.
Ÿ Sundar (1994) has made another observation is that with a pre-
diction of shortage of natural rubber in India in the near
future, there was enormous scope for marketing any volume
produced. However he mentioned that it was not easy to fulfill
the requirements of consuming industry with regard to quan-
tity and price which forced them to go for imported rubber.
Ÿ Annamma (1990) found that ninety percent of the rubber grow-
ers were small farmers (having less than 3 hectares) and all the
farmers were literate and concluded that no crop in the world
received as much support, protection and assistance as rubber
in India.
Ÿ Mukundan Menon (1989) One suggestion that short term mea-
sures to increase productivity (i) soil based fertilizer applica-
tion (ii) systematic plant protection (iii) improved methods of
tapping (iv)rain-guarding of rubber trees and (v) chemical stim-
ulation of yield in older plantation.
Ÿ Mary (1990) identified that three agencies involved in market-
ing of rubber i.e., licensed dealer, unlicensed dealer and co-
operative societies and found that licensed dealers alone were
able to serve eighty five percent of rubber growers Kerala.
Ÿ Mathew Koshy (1989) is observed in the form of an estimation
that small rubber holders were contributing more than 75 per-
cent of total rubber production in India. He stressed that the
demand for natural rubber could be met by increasing the per-
cent average yield of 900 kg, by introducing new methods of pro-
duction.
Ÿ Courtenary (1984) One observation that once the matured rub-
ber trees had become an asset, it would not require any long-
term labour. With limited skills, it could be turned into produc-
113
E-ISSN : 2454-9916 | Volume : 1 | Issue : 5 | Dec 2015
tive assets.
Ÿ Tharian George and others (1988) In one study it is suggested
that the two main considerations given by central government
with regard to natural rubber were: (a) to enhance production
of natural rubber to the growing internal demand; and (b) to
ensure a remunerative price as an incentive to the growers so
as to achieve the goal of self sufficiency in rubber production.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ON ANALYSIS :
Gender & Age group of Cultivators: Out of respondents 90%
are male and only 10% females this is highly a male dominated
industry because of its physical contribution. Out of the total
respondents most of them are belongs the age group of 30-40.
Qualification, Occupation & Income: Out of 80 respondents, 8
are illiterate, 24 of them are primary education, 32 of them having
secondary education and remaining 16 of there are graduate. Out
of 80 respondents, 10% having rubber business, 10% having rub-
ber business with agriculture, 35% having rubber business with
government employees and rest 30% having other business. Gen-
erally 45% of cultivators are rich and no cultivator belongs to below
5000 category.
Land Area & Use of human labour: Out of respondents, 75%
having land are below 1-5 acres, 20% of them having land area
below 5-10 acres and balance 5% of them having land are above 10
acres. Most of cultivators uses permanent employees to make Rub-
ber Production.
Source of income & Borrowing: Out of the cultivators, 44 of
then uses own fund for cultivation and remaining of them uses
both fund. Most people i.e. 55% of respondents uses own fund for
cultivation.
Government (Rubber Board) Assistance and its satisfac-
tion level: Most of the cultivators are availing assistance pro-
vided by the rubber board. Most of the cultivators are satisfied
with assistance provided by the rubber board. Majority of cultiva-
tors are satisfied with the guiding and motivation of rubber board.
Lack of information and poor motivation are the important ready
for dissatisfaction.
Production and storage facility: Majority of cultivators come
under the category of between 300 – 600 kg. per month. All respon-
dents have their own storage facilities and no need of external
dependence for the same.
Market for Rubber: Majority of cultivators are selling their prod-
ucts to wholesale traders and no one in this area selling to manu-
facturers and doing export.
Awareness on Grading & Price fixed by co-operative soci-
ety: 80% of cultivators are aware on grading. Cultivators are not
satisfied with the price of co-operative society. Rules and regula-
tion is high. All cultivators are against the present price for rub-
ber.
Status of Profit: 55% of cultivators are not profit or loss but 35%
suffers loss. Only 10% are getting profit from cultivation of rubber.
Taping Period, Average Monthly production & Stable form
of product: 45% cultivators are using the method taping in once
in 2 days, 35% are taping once in 3 days and normally no daily tap-
ing adopted by any cultivators. Majority of cultivators (75%) are
shaking the rubber sheets. Only 25% are selling the latex. The best
method of taping is in 3 days and gives more production. While
doing 2:1 method production is less and cost of labour is high and
not affordable.
International Education & Research Journal [IERJ]
Research Paper
Problems associated with selling rubber through Co-
operative Marketing Society
Sl. No. Reasons
1 Grading compulsion
2 Not adequate price
3 Payment delay
4 Problem of accessibility
5 Over ofcial formalities
6 Absence of advance payment
7 Much rules and regulations
8 Illiteracy
9 Behavioral problems
10 Others
Total
E-ISSN : 2454-9916 | Volume : 1 | Issue : 5 | Dec 2015
by the timely positive interference and encouragement of the gov-
ernment. Government should provide various assistances for
encouraging rubber cultivation especially by small cultivators.
Percentage Give more awareness to the cultivators about the various assis-
17.5 tance and guidance given by the Rubber Board time to time. Govt.
should make necessary arrangements to collect the rubber sheets
41.25
at a reasonable higher price in order to motivate and encourage the
10 cultivation. Give education to the small cultivators about the vari-
11.25 ous possibilities of rubber cultivation and its marketing. The Rub-
ber Board make sure that, conducting motivational seminars, tap-
8.75
ping training for labours providing quality estate inputs etc.
1.25 through its field offices and for different regions. Provide better
2.5 quality rubber tree seeds from the authorized rubber nurseries pro-
moted by Rubber Board. The govt. and Rubber Board should take
2.5
measures to prevent the fluctuations in price. Government should
3.75 make measures to reduce the import of natural rubber from other
1.25 countries. Govt. bodies like Rubber Board should purchase
directly from the farmers in order to avoid middlemen so the farm-
100
ers will get better price. Ordinary farmers don't know about the
international market condition and demand for rubber. So the
good market information system will provide them necessary
information about these will help them to meet the current
demand. Rate of natural rubber varies from merchant to mer-
chants in local area. So avoid the activities of local merchants by
establishing many co-operative societies for purchasing rubber.
Since majority of the cultivators are running their business in an
optimum level, take necessary steps to promote them by various
assistances in order to run the business with profit. Government
should fix a reasonable price time to time and list it through the co-
operative societies by considering the efforts and cost incurred by
the small cultivators and this will a great extend encourage the nat-
ural rubber industry and there by the economic and social develop-
ment of the nation is also possible.

FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:
Out of the respondents 90% are male cultivators and majority
(40%) belongs in the age group of 30-40 years. Majority (40%) are
having secondary education. 75% of the cultivators having cultiva-
tion land between 1- 5 acres. 35% respondents are doing rubber cul-
tivation with their business. Majority of cultivators uses perma-
nent human labour force for cultivation and other related activi-
ties. The income level of majority of respondents are above Rs.
20,000/- Majority of cultivators uses own fund as the source of
finance for the cultivation. Some cultivators use own fund with bor-
rowed funds as investment. For borrowed funds majority depend
banks and other financial institutions. Majority of the cultivators
are getting subsidies. Majority of the respondents (70%) are get-
ting Rubber Board Assistance. Majority of the cultivators are sat-
isfied with the assistance provided by the Rubber Board. The main
reason for the satisfaction is timely assistance by way of guidance
and motivation. The main reason for dissatisfaction with the ser-
vices of Rubber Board is the lack of timely information. Majority of
the cultivators (35%) having a monthly production of 300-600 kgs
of rubber. All cultivators have their own storage facilities. 70% of
the cultivators selling their products to wholesalers. 80% of the
respondents are aware about the grading of rubber. Majority of the
respondents are not selling their products to the Marketing co-
operative societies because their price is not competitive. All
respondents are not satisfied with the prevailing market price of
rubber. Majority of the cultivators (55%) are running their busi-
nesses in an optimal manner. Majority of the cultivators are hav-
ing a tapping period of once in two days. 75% of the respondents
are selling the rubber in the form of sheets. Majority of the cultiva-
tors sell their product in their locality. The respondent's main
source of income from rubber cultivation.
SUGGESTIONS OF THE STUDY:
The significant observation from all the findings of the study is
that the rubber cultivation and marketing can be flourished only
CONCLUSION:
Based on this study it can be concluded that, the state of Kerala
with ninety of the total production of natural rubber in India, is the
largest producer of natural rubber. These rubber producers of
Kerala are dominated by small holdings therefore small rubber
producers are main contributors of natural rubber to the Indian
rubber industry. Hence the small holding producers actually fac-
ing with several problems like poor quality, low productivity, weak
marketing system, lack of skilled labours etc. Problems of small
cultivators are common but it may differ from different areas or
regions. The government and Rubber Board take care and make
more steps to encourage and protect small rubber producers or cul-
tivators by considering their valuable contributions to the society
and thereby towards the development of the nation.
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International Education & Research Journal [IERJ] 114

Research Paper E-ISSN : 2454-9916 | Volume : 1 | Issue : 5 | Dec 2015
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