Taking a serious note on the declining average yield of rubber since 2014 and related problems associated with the sustainability of natural rubber industry, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) representing 11 major rubber producing countries will conduct a series of studies relating to these issues in its member countries.
The study on declining average yield, which is to be conducted next year, will analyse the trends in average yield of rubber (annual production per hectare of area tapped), factors behind the declining yield and likely trends in future. Based on the conditions prevailing in each member country, the study will identify appropriate policies to reverse the trend.
A decision to this effect was taken at the closed session of the 39th ANRPC Assembly held in Guwahati in October last.
On the outcome of the meeting, sources in the ANRPC told Business Line that the association would formulate further action in its efforts to support farmers reeling under low rubber prices by convening a meeting of the expert group on NR price stabilisation in July 2017. The expert group would also identify appropriate measures to strengthen ANRPC’s industry information and reporting system.
To forecast long-term global supply and demand for natural rubber, ANRPC will also organise a workshop on “supply-demand and modelling” in June/July next year, which is to be attended by statistical experts in all member countries. Philippines will host the workshop.
