RUBBER farmers in Kerala have lost at least 30,000 tonnes of latex, as rains pummel incessantly in June, July and early August. Reportedly, losses amounted to more than Rs. 550 crore at the current price.
Tapping has been stopped for more than 60 days, although the Rubber Board that losses may be partially offset when the tapping resumes and peaks in the coming months.
Rubber production commissioner J. Thomas said on Tuesday that Rubber Board’s initial assessment of the losses took into consideration the days of lost tapping as well as the incidence of abnormal leaf fall in rubber trees that held out a live threat of reduced latex yield.
Farmers had been advised to go in for rain guards in May, but that did not deter the fact that tapping was impossible in most areas, according to the Board.
Moreover, abnormal leaf fall has been experienced in rubber farms. The continual rains over two months hinder the farmers to prevent the spread of the fungus during extended wet weather and extreme humid conditions. Kerala has reportedly received 2,207.8 mm of rain fall during the current season