Sri Lanka is prepared to get a global rubber market share of 2%.
In the present, the rubber manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka is accountable for 4.5% of the total export of the country. It is comprised of three independent rubber manufacturing sectors which are rubber products manufacture, latex rubber manufacture and rubber wood based industry.
To achieve the aim of 2% share in the global rubber market, the Rubber Development Department of the country offers subsidiaries for rubber growers to continue their cultivation. It also encourages the rubber growers to not just cultivate rubber but also other inter-crops like passion fruit, plantains, banana and other fruits with rubber plants. It also introduced a rain guard subsidy scheme, so the rubber plantations can have enough source of water.
Sri Lanka is manufacturing various kinds of tyres such as pneumatic and radial tyres for passenger cars, tyres for three-wheelers, motor cycles and bicycles.
The country is also expanding its cultivation through planting rubber trees in non-traditional areas while training people on the right agronomic practices that will ensure sufficient production of raw materials and increase its share in the global market.
(RJA)