Rubber production records 14.4% increase in first quarter

A total of 36.9 million kilograms of rubber was produced during the first quarter of the yaer, a 14.4% increase over the corresponding period in 2007, it is reported.

While the demand for natural rubber has increased following the fuel price hike in the world market, proper maintenance of rubber trees with rain protectors, delayed tapping during the rainy days and introduction of high yield clone variety from 2000 – 2002 have also been cited as reasons for this increase in production.

Due to new methods and techniques adopted, productivity has increased by 4.6 %, thereby contributing a huge slice to the 6% increase in production the agricultural sector.

Courtesy: Government Information Department