With the potential export market of rubber tree, the national government agencies and farmers in region 2 have moved for the massive plantation of rubber tree seeing its potential for export market.
During the regional forum on Rubber: Its Potentials and Opportunities in Support to the National Greening Program (NGP) in Cagayan Valley, Dr. William Medrano of Cagayan Valley Research, Resource and Development (CVARRD) said that rubber tree planting is a good job generation project and can help alleviate poverty in the rural areas.
Medrano added that rubber tree planting can also help mitigate the adverse effect of climate change.
“We take pride in playing our role in managing this project and being a catalyst of development like this,” Medrano told 155 participants and soon-to-be rubber tree farmers in the region who attended the forum at Casilli Lake, here.
The Forum was jointly undertaken by CVARRD, Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BFAR), Oceana Gold Philippines, Office of Sec. Manual Mamba of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office and the Philippine Chamber Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Isabela Chapter.
Meanwhile, Isabela State University (ISU) President Aleth Mamauag said projection for the next few years for rubber will increase and to meet the demand, there should be source and that will be the role of region 02.
“We have a three million worth of clonal nursery at ISU to support the NGP and this includes production of rubber tree,” Mamauag revealed.
At present, from the current 11.3 million metric tons demand for natural rubber, it shall increase to 16.4 million MT in 2020 or an increase of over 30 percent.
Source: Philippine Information Agency
Published: 18 Mar 2014