The Kerala government is expected to give a reprieve for the rubber growers who are struck by a steep fall in latex price. Finance Minister K.M. Mani said he had directed officers to form a formula to include latex in the stimulus package offered by the government to rubber growers.
Manorama had brought to light the plight of rubber farmers due to the unexpected slide in latex price. Mani said he had asked officers to study the situation. The government will take a decision as soon as it receives a report on the matter, he said.
Several farmers’ associations and rubber growers’ societies petitioned Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the Finance Minister on Thursday to include latex in the state government’s financial assistance package that ensures a fixed price for rubber irrespective of the fluctuations in the market.
Meanwhile, latex prices are on a spiral. The Rubber Board’s price for 60 percent latex has fallen from Rs 107.80 to Rs 106.75. Though the market price has been fixed as Rs 139, farmers got less than Rs 130 on Thursday. – Manorama Online