Addressing the Challenges in Sri Lanka’s Rubber Cultivation: A Strategic Approach by Mr. Sarath Chandrasiri Vithana, the new chairman RRB (Rubber Research Board), Sri Lanka.

The Rubber Research Board (RRB) in Sri Lanka was established under the Rubber Research Ordinance No. 10 of 1930 and redefined by the Rubber Research Act No. 4 of 1979. This Act expanded the board’s responsibilities, enhancing governance and promoting effective research and development in the rubber industry. Today, the RRB plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges and advancing the strategic goals of the rubber sector in Sri Lanka.

Current Scenario of the Rubber Industry

The rubber industry in Sri Lanka is facing a significant challenge due to a reduction in the total hectares of land planted with rubber. This involves phasing out low productivity land while retaining enough higher productivity land to produce the necessary quantity and quality of raw rubber for the domestic rubber products industry. However, this has led to a strain on the national treasury, as the country needs to spend substantial amounts of USD to import latex and dry rubber to meet domestic demands.

Strategic Initiatives of the New Chairman

Mr. Sarath Chandrasiri Vithana, a distinguished public servant with 44 years of administrative experience, currently serves as the Chairman of the Rubber Research Board. With an MSc in International Management from the University of the West of England and several postgraduate diplomas, he has held various high-level roles, including Chairman of the Sri Lanka Hadabima Authority and Director General of the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority.

Mr. Sarath Chandrasiri Vithana aims to motivate growers to achieve the national goal of increasing annual rubber production from 65,000 MT to 100,000 MT (2024-2030). Additionally, he plans to enhance the manufacturing sector with advanced research and development activities at the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka (RRISL) to increase export earnings from rubber and rubber products from USD 1 billion to USD 2 billion (2024-2030).

Key Objectives and Achievements of the RRB

Promote Research and Development: Conduct and facilitate research to improve rubber cultivation, processing, and product development. The RRB has developed high-yielding rubber clones, significantly increasing productivity.

Enhance Productivity: Develop high-yield, disease-resistant rubber clones and advanced cultivation techniques. The RRB introduced disease-resistant varieties like RRIC 121 and RRIC 102, widely adopted by farmers.

Support Farmers: Provide technical assistance, training, and resources to rubber growers to improve practices and yields. The RRB offers regular training programs and workshops, helping farmers implement better tapping methods and pest management practices.

Sustainability: Promote sustainable rubber farming practices that conserve resources and protect the environment. The RRB encourages agroforestry and organic farming methods, reducing the environmental impact of rubber cultivation.

Industry Collaboration: Collaborate with local and international organizations to advance rubber research and technology. The RRB partners with global research institutes and participates in international conferences to stay at the forefront of rubber science.

Policy Advice: Offer expert advice to policymakers to shape effective rubber industry policies and strategies. The RRB has contributed to national policies that support the rubber sector's growth and sustainability, such as the Rubber Master Plan.

Gap Analysis of RRB Objectives vs. Current Performance

Objective 1: Promote Research and Development

Gap: No research protocol since 2019 to address Circular Spot Leaf Disease (CSLD).

Improvement Needed: Develop a comprehensive research protocol for CSLD and increase international collaborations.

Objective 2: Enhance Productivity

Gap: Recommended planting density of 525 plants per hectare is based on weak data. Over-reliance on clone RRISL 121.

Improvement Needed: Conduct robust field trials for optimal planting densities and diversify clones to reduce disease risk.

Objective 3: Support Farmers

Gap: Poor quality of planting materials and inadequate support to smallholders.

Improvement Needed: Provide high-quality planting material and subsidies, implement targeted training, and enhance extension services.

Objective 4: Sustainability

Gap: Inadequate promotion of sustainable farming practices and land use planning.

Improvement Needed: Promote agroforestry and organic farming, develop comprehensive land use plans, and educate farmers through workshops.

Objective 5: Industry Collaboration

Gap: Limited collaboration with local and international organizations.

Improvement Needed: Strengthen partnerships, participate in international forums, and encourage public-private partnerships.

Objective 6: Policy Advice

Gap: Lack of accurate national production data and updated database of growers.

Improvement Needed: Develop mechanisms to accurately account for national latex production and maintain a comprehensive database of growers.

Strategic Vision of the Chairman

Embrace Innovation: Introduce advanced rubber products like graphene-infused and self-healing rubber to create high-performance tires and medical devices.

High-Profit Products: Focus on high-margin rubber products, such as specialized tires for luxury vehicles and medical supplies, which have higher profit margins due to their specialized use and quality standards.

Medical Applications: Natural rubber latex is crucial for medical equipment like gloves and catheters, essential for patient care and surgeries. Rubber is also used in drug delivery systems, such as medication patches.

Agroforestry Integration: Combine rubber cultivation with other crops like tea, cocoa, cinnamon, fruit crops and pepper to increase income and make better use of available space and resources.

Maximize Acre Profit: Use modern farming techniques, grow high-value companion crops, and adopt efficient practices including frequent monitoring of the progress to enhance yield and profitability. Revisit investment appraisals of rubber and intercropping models and educate the growers of the cost reduction and profitability improvement methods at the beginning of each year.

Carbon Sequestration: Rubber trees absorb CO2 and store it in their biomass. One hectare of rubber can capture about 200-250 tons of CO2 over 24 years, helping combat climate change.

Disease Management: Use resistant plant varieties, maintain proper spacing, and apply fungicides to manage and reduce disease outbreaks. Encourage soil and water quality assessment once in three years for optimum production of latex. & develop a national database for effective advisory.

Accelerate bringing into Tapping: Research fast-growing rubber tree varieties and apply efficient farming techniques to bring trees into production sooner, maximizing ROI.

Technology Integration: Implement QR codes and blockchain technology for tracking and ensuring transparent and secure supply chains. Seek possibilities of satellite-based farm monitoring. Install automatic weather stations to support precision agricultural interventions for the rubber growers.

Increase Production: To boost rubber production from 65 million kg to 200 million kg, adopt high-yielding clones, expand cultivation areas, and enhance farming practices. Assist the farmers to earn minimum of LKR 500,000 profit per hectare per annum.

Agroforestry Benefits: Establish 1,000 new agroforestry plantations to improve climate resilience, boost biodiversity, and attract tourism, enhancing local farmers' incomes.

Advance Research: Invest in tissue culture technologies to produce high-quality, disease-resistant clones and collaborate with global research institutions to improve rubber cultivation in Sri Lanka.

Developed by Lalin I De Silva, former Senior Planter, Agricultural Advisor / Consultant, Secretary General of Ceylon Planters Society, Editor of Ceylon Planters Society Bulletin and freelance journalist.